Peace Strengthens Human Prosperity Islam and World Peace

Abstract

This conference, organized by the Faculty of Usuluddin at Sultan Sharif Ali
Islamic University (UNISSA), was held on 24-25 February 2010 at the
Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong, Brunei. The 119 local and 40 international
participants presented 78 working papers. Local and international
media outlets and representatives of government bodies, as well as officers
from the Department of Community Development, the Ministry of Religious
Affairs’ Syariah Affairs Department, and the Brunei Economic Development
Board, also attended. One of the main objectives was to clear up
misconceptions about Islam in order to bridge the gap and strengthen relationships
and cooperation between Muslim and western countries.
Abdul Muthalif Afuwardeen (conference co-chairman; dean, Faculty
of Usuluddin, UNISSA) welcomed the audience and spoke of the importance
of religion and peace and how Islam and Muslims have been wrongly
portrayed as symbols of terrorism, underdevelopment, and mockery. Ustaz
Hj Abdul Aziz Juned (state mufti) opened the event on behalf of Sultan
Has-sanal Bolkiah and urged participants to spread the truth about Islam
worldwide. Keynote speaker Ismail Ibrahim (chariman of Islam Hadhari,
National University of Malaysia), analyzed how many westerners consider
Islam a religion of violence, war, and suppression due to their misunderstanding
of jihad. He also called for mutual understanding among all
parties ...