Saudi King, Abdullah Abdul Aziz al Saud, spoke this week at the UN. His remarks about the dignity of religious difference sparked global controversy. Is this part of a new world in which the custodian of Islam’s holy places advocates for religious liberty and the individual’s right to choose their faith, including no faith at all?
Or is it the cynical ploy of a powerful leader pushing a Trojan horse into the General Assembly, one which sacrifices genuine spiritual freedom in the name of respect for a few specific faiths? Probably a bit of both. But the upside potential far outweighs the downside risk, so we should greet this effort with joy, if cautiously so.
Many, including Donald Argue and Leonard Leo in the Christian Science Monitor, claim that all of King Abdullah’s work bringing global faith leaders together is nothing more than a ploy to rally support for a global blasphemy law. The idea being that the faithful of many traditions can be enlisted to work for passage of a global law that would limit religious freedom and spiritual expression to parameters agreed upon by a select group of religious authorities. The passage of such a statute would be a disastrous mistake.
A global blasphemy law (the legal import of which is dubious, even if it were to be passed) would fly in the face of the personal liberty which most Americans, at least, treasure. But the idea of such a law may be, in fact, a part of the king’s agenda. Based on my personal experience with most religious leaders, including many here at home, it probably makes a great deal of sense to them. Most religious people in the world imagine that seeking good belief is more important than assuring the freedom to believe, even bad things. But that fact should not keep us from welcoming the king’s actions. Here’s why.
Even if a global blasphemy law is on the king’s agenda, as it is for the Organization of the Islamic Conference, this week’s visit is still to be welcomed. Initiating any conversation which fills a space currently filled with silence and suspicion, is a good thing. Having been a party to these conversations which began this summer in Madrid, and having written about them here, I can attest to the unexpected opening of hearts and minds that occurs when we talk face to face, even when we reach no shared conclusions. For that alone, the king deserves support and praise.
And to those who point out the apparent hypocrisy of a global leader preaching inter-religious cooperation among the peoples of the world without assuring basic religious freedom in his own kingdom, I remind you that we must often go abroad to develop those ideas which we ultimately implement at home. There is a difference between hypocrisy and inconsistency. While king Abdullah is certainly guilty of the latter, there is no reason to charge him with the former.
Like many global leaders attempting a major shift in the direction of the nation he leads, King Abdullah must build global support for his agenda as a means to making plausible its implementation in his own country. In fact, how often was that very argument made by supporters of President-Elect Barak Obama as the then candidate traversed the globe building support for his as yet unattained presidency?
An even closer parallel can be drawn to the ways in which the American Jewish community has been a source of support to those in Israel who work for greater religious freedom there. In fact, many Israeli leaders have built support for a more welcoming stance to a variety of Jewish expressions in the State of Israel, precisely by playing to their American supporters and then bringing that backing home to a more reticent Israeli population. And that method has born many good results.
No, the religious liberty issues in Israel are nothing as serious as they are in Saudi Arabia. But they are not insignificant either. And the introduction of global support for initiatives designed to bring greater openness to the holy land’s spiritual marketplace, has been crucial to the success of such efforts. That is why I know that with all of the potential hazards, traveling this road with King Abdullah is both important and likely to bring at least some success. I look forward to the next steps in that journey and to being privileged to take them with him.
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted November 17, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Few bloggers have been sharper at highlighting the “cynical” aspects of the Saudi King’s Interfaith Dialogue Initiative than I (see: “The Proposed Islamic Conquest of Western Civilization”). For example, Rabbi Hirschfeld’s observation of “the unexpected opening of hearts and minds that occurs when we talk face to face” was foreseen by the Mecca Conferees when they stated “dialogue institutions to give priority to issues of protection of values and ethics against the calls for demoralization on grounds of defending individual freedom” and pushed for “studying the causes and means of eradicating them” – that is, any Muslim who “weakens” in the face of a Brad Hirschfeld is prejudged as demoralized and ways should be found to counteract the Hirschfeld Effect.
posted November 17, 2008 at 1:46 pm
However, I also realize that to get the green light for the IDI from the largest possible number of Muslims meant crafting a document that would appeal even to Islamic militarists. Yet is the bark here worse than the bite? The proof is in the pudding: we will see if the “anti-blasphemy” aspect will receive any more than brief but necessary lip service from the King, or if energy will be concentrated on open dialogue. It cannot be both.
posted November 17, 2008 at 2:20 pm
While the Rabbi recommends an approach of cautious optimum, I approach this Islamic overture with a sense of dread. First of all because even Saudi Arabia has been linked to a continued support of terrorists groups, it has not been free of terrorists attacks on its home soil (by and against their own people). That is, Even King Abdullah Abdul Aziz al Saud could be marked for assassination by his own people for advocating a change in policy regarding the accommodation of “infidel religions”. That is of course, unless he has first received the blessings for this new approach by many of the leading Islamic mullahs. Another point of suspicion.
The second concern is what happens after a treaty is agreed to by the world powers/leaders? Our experience right there in the US has shown us that it becoming common place that any and every religion can say and do almost anything they desire, including the ridicule of the majority Christian faiths. Allowing such action is called being tolerant of diverse faiths. But, if a Christian says or does anything that any other person considers offensive to their religion, for whatever reason, then that Christian is held guilty of committing a religious hate crime. The punishment for such an offense can be quite severe. On a global scale I foresee an international mandate to merge all religions into a coalition of standard doctrines and practices that look good on the surface, but in actual practice will result in one religion becoming dominant at the expense of the others – and the power of the gun will be used to implement that arrangement.
A world-wide religious tolerance law is very simple: As long as any religious faith or practice, exercised by an individual or group of individuals or organization does not take the life of another person, or does harm an individual, they are given the right to free exercise their religious beliefs without restriction or interference. In other words, an edited form of the First Amendment to the US Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Any country (government or religious group) that desires to embrace the concept of freedom of religion could start with implementing these basic ideals in their home countries. Or, if that is not possible, then use Rabbi’s recommended approach of cautious optimum – and be ready for the possible consequences. Me? I admit that I am just too nervous to trust anyone holding out a hope of peace (religious or otherwise) with one hand – while grasping a gun in their other hand.
Blasphemy? Who gets to decide what is blasphemy for each religion? Today, anything that a Muslim religious leader decides to be negative in character or intent (in words or actions) against any aspect of Islam, has committed blasphemy against his religion and is worthy of dire punishments, including death. I do not see Muslims softening any on this stance, and I sure would hate to see that become the law of this land.
posted November 18, 2008 at 10:57 am
Do not care for the country of Saudi Arabia people= since I saw on tv how they teach their kids in their books and the classroom from childhood about others- very much but I would say how you think of him does have little to do with what he says.
It depends more on your point of view.
Hugs
Laura
posted November 18, 2008 at 7:16 pm
If King Abdullah would just allow a little speck of light into the Kindgom, it would be a little easier to trust the motives. Actions speak much louder than words–there is reason for skepticism.
posted November 19, 2008 at 12:14 am
Exactly. I’ve concluded that the way we’ll know if King Abdullah is serious about the IDI is when an Interfaith Institute, staffed with followers from many religions, is established in one of the major cities of his kingdom. The staff must be free to discuss both their own religion and Islam and the Institute must be accessible to all the King’s subjects without penalty.
posted November 19, 2008 at 4:18 pm
are you aware that there is a growing number of people that watch King Abdullah and are noticing he fulfills many of the prophesies about the end times? Especially the way he is trying to organize everyone in peace.
posted November 19, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Has anyone here ever read the Qu’ran? ____I did nothing more than open my copy. Without searching, in 10 seconds I found these three openeners: ____1. Surah 6:16 “The Jew say, “Allah’s hand is tied up. Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the blashphmy they utter… __2. Surah9:68″Allah has promised the rejecters of Faith the fires of Hell”…__3. Surah 18:99 “And we shall present hell that day for unbelievers to see…:____I could spend the time scanning and find commandments to kill the infidel. Of course King Abdullah wishes Jews and Christians the best! Have you ever visited Saudi Arabia as a Western non-Muslim? Good luck in practicing your faith! ____Sorry. Just do your research.____Lucy
posted November 19, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Sorry! I forgot to post my name.
Lucy silver
posted November 20, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Its mentioned in Holy Quran, the author of the book is Almighty, without doubt. One verse says, some to common terms between you and us. Or else they will criticise your lORD in ignorance… And I think King Abdullah is doing the same. We all need to see the positive side of the picture.
posted August 2, 2010 at 2:57 am
Prabal Rai June 2 at 10:51am
My email is raiprabal@gmail.com here is the message
To
His Majesty the King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Bin Al Saud
The custodian of Two holy mosques
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Your Majesty,
I’m trying to Plead my plight for your humble assistance to look for my cause that I have bring forward to your attentions. As my name is Prabal Rai from Nepal and previously I have been working in Saudi Arabia in the post of Supervisor in reputed company. But unfortunately I felt victim of serious illness and become physically disable on left side of my body. As when my company officials discharge me in medical reasons and send me back in my country they have promised me of further assistance and re-employment back to the company if I’m again ready for work. But after sometimes when I try to mail several times to my company officials they totally denied my presence and all their promises came to known as false statements through their sides. I have worked 13 years of my life in that particular company then when I need their support and help in this hard times of my life they abandoned me in this state and leave me with total desperate situations. It’s been all these five years since that incident happen in my life on 3rd March, 2005.
Your Majesty all I need from your side is to help me re-employ back to your country in office desk job as I’m helpless throughout this year because of my disability problems for employing in any other organizations. This disability is not permanent because I could be recover from it if I get further proper treatment and medications but for that I need financial support and to fill this expenses i need the job without which I’m unable to do so, Because of my unemployment situations. Please,Your Majesty help me justify my life by re-employing back in Saudi Arabia to fulfill my requirements of further medical treatments then I will be always thankful to your kindness and mercy.
Yours faiithfully
Prabal Rai
Tel: 00977-1-6636281 ( Home)
00977-9808354837( Mobile)