Member News
By Shelley Phelps - 27th November 2009
A senior member of the Jordanian Royal Family was in parliament earlier this week at the launch of a new book of Islamic mystical poetry.
HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan spoke at the event, organised by the all-party parliamentary group on third world solidarity.
"Ideas can only be defeated with ideas," he said.
Prince Hassan, who is a highly-regarded international advocate for peace and winner of the Abraham Geiger Award for his work towards global sustainability and inter-religious understanding, advocated further in-depth dialogue between the West and the Muslim world.
He drew a parallel with the spice route of ancient times, where Asian civilisations traded spices with the West.
"I hope that the day will come when we can develop a route of ideas," he said.
The Prince stated that Muslims have a duty to help discard dangerous misconceptions of Islam among the marginalised and others who fall prey to extremism.
He said that he wants to see greater involvement in civic life across the Muslim region.
He urged people not to be silent and asked them to assist him in creating "a vocal citizens' movement".
"Human solidarity is the fundamental ethic which must underpin all our endeavours," he declared.
This principle is the "cosmic oath" of mankind, he added.
"We still have time to right the wrongs of recent decades; we can humanise globalisation," he said.
"This is the chance to bring about our shared consciousness."
Prince Hassan said the lack of jobs for young people in the Middle East is an issue that must be addressed urgently.
He warned a failure to do so would lead to instability in the region and the world.
MPs and peers did not debate at this special APPG meeting but they turned out in large numbers.
David Anderson MP (Lab, Blaydon), said Prince Hassan had made one of the most inspiring speeches he had heard during his time as chair of the APPG.
A new book of Islamic mystical poetry by Mohamood Jamal was launched at the event.
The book contains a collection of poems from classic Sufi scholars and Jamal himself.
Jamal said that he was inspired to produce the book in the wake of 9/11.
He referred to the famous comment made by G.W Bush that "you're either with us or against us".
The book symbolises his rejection of both US imperialism and Islamic extremism, Jamal said.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd