Prince Nayef opens Takfeer conference in Madinah
September 21, 2011
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz opened in Madinah last night the International Conference on the Takfeer Phenomenon, Its Causes, Effects and Treatment. The event was organized by the Secretariat of the Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Award for the Prophet’s Sunnah and Contemporary Islamic Studies, with the participation of Imam Mohammed bin Saud University. The participants will discuss the reasons, impact and remedies of the phenomenon of people accusing others of being infidels. Scholars and researchers will discuss more than 100 research papers and studies during 15 sessions over three days, after which they will present recommendations on how to eliminate the Takfeer phenomenon.In a speech delivered on his behalf by Prince Nayef, King Abdullah warned against the dangers of extremism, pointing out that the Islamic religion forbids inciting fanaticism or killing innocent people. He stated, “Islam warns against accusing others of being infidels. We have suffered from the dangers of extremism and deviated thought, which have developed into [terrorist attacks]. We should continue to confront this deviation strongly and firmly.” King Abdullah lamented the effects of extremist groups on the Kingdom, noting, “Some of our sons have been deviated by groups that have ill-will against this country.” However, he insisted, “Our Muslim society rejects deviant thoughts and extremist methods. We will not accept any thought that affects our fundamentals.”
