King’s visit to India to strengthen Jordan’s role in stabilising region — Islamic scholar

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah’s visit to India will further strengthen Jordan’s role in stabilising the region and pushing the peace processes of conflicts across the world, a prominent Indian Islamic scholar said on Thursday.

Sheikh Abubacker Ahmed, the general secretary of All India Sunni Scholars Association and an active member of The Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, said that the King has made “enormous intellectual and pioneering contributions to promote the principles of moderation and cooperation of diverse communities”, a statement from All India Sunni Scholars Association said.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Sheikh Ahmed stressed the historical relationship between Jordan and India, which is based on pluralistic values in which both countries believe.

His Majesty “meaningfully uses religious terms and rules for taking stances against violent terrorist ideologies that have been for decades a challenge throughout the world”, the scholar added.

The King’s sincere attempts result in positive fraternal relations between Islamic clerics around the world and lead to solutions to many of the issues facing the community today, Sheikh Ahmed said, according to the statement.

The Indian scholar, who was a special invitee to scholars conferences convened by His Majesty in 2007, 2014, and 2016, also noted that Muslims in India as well have taken “remarkable stances” to preserve peace and stability among different peoples and religions.

The King is on a three-day state visit to India during which he will hold talks with Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials.

On Thursday morning, Sheikh Ahmed participated with His Majesty in a conference titled “Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation”, organised by Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, the statement added. 

After the conference, Sheikh Ahmed presented a poem to the King welcoming him to India, according to the statement.