An interview with Dr. Munthir Al-Kewthar: We are working to find a more tolerant alternative for an Arabic word to call for of black b "a slave"

Dr. Munthir Al-Kewthar, head of the "Acceptance International", preferred not to consider the planet as a component of two directions, east and west of the opinion that "racist movements are also found in the Western world. Kewthar said that the organization is working to find alternatives to the Arab call for a more tolerant Black with "slave." He added, Dr. Munthir Al Kewthar in an interview with the "prospects" that there is an old parties still exist up to now in many western countries is based on racist ideology. He said "We have in the Middle East is an important factor is the existence of Islamic culture which is anti-racist ideology fully and promotes the concept that people are created male and female and made into nations and tribes to know each other. Besides the text of the interview:

Abdel Aziz Abu Latifa ;

Moderation reverse extremism:

* For what was the idea of founding the organization in London was not in any other Arab country, and what are the geographical area covered by the organization?

The non-governmental and non-profit organization working under the guidance ethics of human rights and aims to promote moderation in the thinking and attitudes as well as a culture that accepts the other in order to achieve greater harmony between human beings. The idea of founding of the organization in London and not in another country has the capacity of the space of freedom in this city and multi-ethnic cultures and religions, a practice which in other settings lacking the same extent. A global organization spanning different parts of the world and Aigv when a particular region
* Dr. Munthir organization fighting extremism, what is the meaning of the word Extremism for you?

This question is important because there is no consensus on the definition of extremism, where it is often in charge of extremism Different cast out their opponents. It is in this section can be viewed at the issue from the other part, I mean, look what is the anti-extremism and this issue is somewhat easier .. as we find that the opposite of moderation and extremism is the This is our second title on behalf of our organization is about tolerance and witnesses said from the door of the definition of an organization working to spreading the concepts of moderation and tolerance and acceptance and this is clear, we call for the spread of these concepts. Extremism is contrary to these concepts and diffusion and thus we have detected an important aspect of the matter is that our Organization is not by fighting or bickering when we say it is fighting extremism but friendly organizations call for spreading the concepts of the finest concepts, instead of combating evil.
* What are the means and methods you have to stop the violations of those that go beyond human rights?
We are primarily interested in aspects of intellectual property. I mean, we are working to spread a culture of respect for human rights and the concepts of tolerance and acceptance and moderation, and this difference makes our need to have fluid in some of the difference stems from the different target Vnatmd the issuance of letters and calls and data calls and work to think of humanitarian ties between humans and acceptance of differences as a positive aspect in relations between groups different human or individual are different, as well as working on the holding of seminars and courses designed to serve the same purpose and we also have ambitions for the future expansion of these means and this depends on the financial situation and the support they received. This question is not easy, I mean, receive support, to the absolute neutrality of the organization and principles and this is what reduces the sources of support so that in most cases those interested in supporting their interests and objectives are reluctant when it comes to support a neutral organization completely.

Tolerance constraints

* Ninety to promote tolerance among peoples of the world .. do you think this is something that is easy to achieve, and what are the obstacles that limit the deployment of the language of tolerance between peoples?

Certainly the promotion of tolerance is not the objective easy if we take into account the size of the tension that can be seen on the scene and as reflected in news from the differences sometimes reach the level of violence, but an important goal and Sam must work in the sense that it should not be difficult to aim to stop the ambitious work to achieve any goal as far as we achieve to reach that goal, or part of it is a benefit to humanity.

As for the obstacles that limit the deployment of the language of tolerance between people .. many are topped by the contents of culture and education, we believe that ignorance is the reason for the basis of the causes of delinquency rights to a hardening of attitudes and rejection of another. The more human knowledge and expertise the greater the ability to accept different from him or disagreed with him.

Constraints, we find that some of the other political parties are to adhere to the extremism in their positions and to reject all different for the purpose of achieving political goals. And engage in so many governments and it is not confined to certain geographical spot, but is widespread in the East and West of the world .. We find that in America, for example, there is political resolve expressed by the media machine is working to distort the other, and he filmed on sets of objects to be erratic caution them to say the least.

For example a lot of the media in the West is trying to give Islam a bad image of this process that a deliberate ignorance always aim from behind to achieve the political ends of certain political parties.
Determine the meaning of the West

* West has accused Arab countries to foster the culture of extremism through the curriculum taught in schools. What do you think of that?

The word the word West in general, but this statement refers to the fact that countries foreign governments or parties, I mean, media affiliate that operates on the dumping charge. As long as the reason for this charge is a political reason why it is aimed at political interests .. When certain Western countries accuse the Arab state of this charge, it aims to raise pressure or blackmail the Government of that State in order to force her to take certain positions, not necessarily to be those positions related to curriculum.

For example, in human rights issues may sometimes find that the government of Western countries critical of a particular country under the pretext of violation of human rights violations and shut up by other countries according to their relationship to the interest of the State of Western countries that violate human rights. For instance, to point out violations being committed by Israel, where silence in the face while some issues in other countries in the region are working on Thoelha making clear that the aim is to achieve political positions.

This does not mean that all curricula free of any defect, but should be seen as something away from the short-term political goals. Some curricula may need to be placed where the work touches on the upbringing of the concepts of moderation and centrism in our generations. By the way the concepts are not far from our culture, it is obvious and known to all that Islam is a religion of moderation, it would be useful to work to focus on this in our curricula.

* Politics and culture of the society any of them has the strongest effect on changing the behavior of people on the extremism?

Both of these two things have a big effect and it is not easy to say that the strongest impact of that. The difference between politics and short-term real-time while the culture of the society are rooted more. For example, we find the manifestations in our Arab societies that there is a pride of identity, and this is no harm in it, but is a positive and healthy.

But the exaggeration of the lead to negative results found sometimes in tension between certain communities as a result of this excessive pride in identity. There is no harm for example, that Syrian is proud of being Syrian and Iraqi being an Iraqi and Egyptian being the Egyptian, but the problem starts when each of them thought it was better than the other, and reject the other. Sometimes we find that certain communities Ataatqubl easily people coming from another community. Example is the Palestinian refugee population in Lebanon, living in sub-case is completely isolated from the Lebanese community around him. As well as in other places find people may have migrated generations ago, but they still do not enjoy equal treatment with the rest of the community.

This is the culture of the society which have the effect of obstructing the deployment of tolerance. On the other hand, we find that some politicians, in order to win votes or support certain specific, are trying to benefit from a culture similar to what we talked about. Vtjd parties insisted on a speech intended to serve the interests of a certain category, even if at the expense of other categories. Once again the Lebanese model in some respects confirms this observation and there are other models similar to this in more than one place and more than one country in the Arab world and beyond.

Rejection of racist ideology
Q: Are there countries or international institutions to cooperate with you to implement your goals and that ninety to form this cooperation?

The answer is no. For us states nor international institutions did not ask because the majority of countries and institutions have their own interests and objectives, as I said we chose to be completely neutral. Those who cooperate with us in civil society organizations and members of the volunteers from all countries of the world but their cooperation will be primarily through the work they do.

For example, write to us about a particular violation or submit certain reports to us about specific events occur in different places in order to take action thereon. This is the most important forms of cooperation is voluntary cooperation is limited primarily to the moral and intellectual has found, to date, an ideal approach saves us our independence and Hyaditna.

* Always moving eyes were on the Middle East about the spread of racism, but we we hear the most recent cases of racism in the Western countries .. What is your opinion?

Indeed, I prefer not to see the planet as a component of two directions, east and west with I respect in question refer to the different cultures. History suggests that the racist movements in the West are historical periods of modern and ancient Let us recall the spread of Nazi ideology in Germany in the first half of the twentieth century, as well as the fascist thought in Italy. There is an old parties, and remains, up to now in many Western countries is based on a racist ideology. Racism exists in the West and are also found in the East and the Middle East, to varying degrees. We have a difference in the Middle East, and I prefer to use the term Arab world and Islamic world, an important factor is the existence of Islamic culture which is anti-racist ideology fully and serves to disseminate the notion that men are created male and female, and made into nations and tribes to know each other. This understanding in the Muslim world does not allow the emergence and evolution of thought and the continuation of racist. The emergence of racism is certain, as noted above and as I mentioned in an earlier question, the results of policies or ignorance or both. I mean that racism existed more or less in the Arab world. A simple guide on this is that the Arabic language though still scarred by the words refer to the lack of thought to accept the other, such that many of us in the Arab world is still called a black man a slave, or other words that we are working to find alternatives, including a more tolerant .

* Do not you think that the process of replacing cultures alternative cultures in order to reduce extremism could create a kind of confusion and imbalance within the cultural communities?

Not alter any of our aims is a culture of cultures. Intellectual basis upon which we base the him to see that the different cultures and diversity is a positive factor and important for the evolution of human society. We are working on these cultures to tolerate each other and interact with them instead of rejection and contraction within the limits of lack of acceptance of the other.

* Some say control of media outlets and religious and cultural rights is a violation of the right of freedom of expression and you just ask to monitor these forums to prevent the spread the culture of extremism How to square these contradictions?

This is a point of great importance. Our vision is to freedom of expression must be guaranteed, provided that does not lead to spread the spirit of hatred or exclusion, or violence among the people. You and I are free to express our views, but should be the limits of this freedom is that it does not lead to clashes between different communities. Cited the example of the issue to the publication of caricatures of the Prophet peace be upon him. May defend the publication of the cartoons on the pretext of defending freedom of expression. If the individual or personal matter, that would be something else, but the publication of the opinion of itself lead ultimately to nothing but widen the gap between cultures and foster a spirit of hostility, such an action can not be justified under the pretext of freedom of expression. So that among what we seek is to preserve freedom of expression and the right with an indication of the limits of this freedom. Just as my freedom of action depends upon the extent of the other, as well as the freedom of expression must stand at a certain range, and that limit should be not to create hostility and confrontation between different people.


Palestinian dispute

* Many human rights organizations now dealing with violations of human rights without a neutral and especially with those who support such institutions, it does not affect the credibility of human rights institutions in general?


Something like that happen. To be fair, when we see that many of the human rights organizations to function well and perform great services. And the occurrence of mistakes here and there, even though it is a pity, no reason to lose our confidence that all institutions altogether. The existence of these institutions are still active and benefit from many governments and many of these institutions are calculated for a large account if it wants to progress on a particular violation of the violations.

Q: What is your stand on the violence perpetrated by Hamas against Fatah in Gaza, and counter-violence to Fatah against Hamas in the West Bank???

Regarding the Palestinian-Palestinian dispute is unfortunate and we wish to disappear soon.

Q: What is the role of the organization towards infidels fatwas issued by clerics every day against journalists and writers, especially in Saudi Arabia and Egypt?

Our opinions of incitement to violence on religious grounds of the organization in very clear, the organization has issued statements and send messages demanding action to stop the issuance of those opinions. Has sent letters to the king of Saudi Arabia and leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and Sheikh Al-Azhar and other religious leaders and politicians to demand that steps be taken in this regard and all that is published on the WHO web site: www.shuhood.org

Also published a petition on the Internet to collect signatures demanding of these leaders demanding action to stop the incitement to sectarian violence, it is located on the WHO web site as well.

* Do you think that the efforts of rapprochement between the religions, which are being made by Muslim and Christian figures lead off on the ground, and why?
Rapprochement efforts between religions, it certainly impressive but it is not sufficient alone, as needed to support civil society institutions and cultural elites in order to build public opinion in this direction creates an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance among different political forces and to stop using the paper the difference in religious differences.