Scholar: Islam respects religious diversity

Hossam Ed-Deen Allam, Lecturer Al Azhar University, said that reaching a state of mutual understanding is one of Islam's main objectives.

Hossam Ed-Deen Allam, Lecturer Al Azhar University, said that reaching a state of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among all humans is one of Islam's main objectives.

Allam mentioned, during a new episode of (The Revelation) program, that Allah created humans to be His successors on earth as God said in Surah Al Baqarah verse 30: ''[Prophet], when your Lord told the angels, ‘I am putting a successor on earth,’ they said, ‘How can You put someone there who will cause damage and bloodshed, when we celebrate Your praise and proclaim Your holiness?’ but He said, ‘I know things you do not.’

He added that Islam urges every Muslim to respect the dignity of his fellow partners in humanity without consideration to difference in religion, ethnicity, gender or color.

He stressed that the main mission of humans is to develop the earth , as it is the order of God in verse 61 , Surah Hud: " And to Thamud (We sent) their brother Salih. He said, "O my people, worship Allah. In no way do you have any god other than He. He is (the One Who) brought you into being from the earth and has made you settle therein. So ask forgiveness of Him; thereafter repent to Him. Surely my Lord is Ever-Near, and Supreme-Answerer."

He finally pointed to the importance of the word "settle" in the verse which means complete sense of peaceful coexistence and cooperation among humans to make earth a better place to live in.