UAE Friday sermon: ‘Co-exist peacefully with non-Muslims’

ABU DHABI // Peaceful coexistence with people from other cultures and religions is a must in Islam and the UAE is a shining example of this, worshippers will be told in Friday’s sermon.

“Our religion always called for building fruitful relationships among people based on kindness, good deeds and words,” the sermon says.

A verse from the Quran reads: “Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.”

Islam calls on Muslims to act with justice, loyalty, compassion and tolerance towards non-Muslims and to “help them against oppression and not coerce them to accept Islam”.

As a Quranic verse states: “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion.”

Non-believers should not be forced to convert to Islam, because there is evidence to convince those who want to embrace it, the sermon says.

As the Quran says to non-believers: “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”

Another important aspect of civilised coexistence is maintaining good ties with non-Muslim relatives.

“Acts of goodness towards non-Muslims lies in the act of being kind with the weak among them, helping the poor ... speaking with them in good words.”

The Prophet Mohammed had trade and business deals with non-Muslims and “prohibited all acts of betrayal, cheating and assault against them and their properties”.

“He granted them protection and undertook the responsibility of ensuring their safety,” continues the sermon.

“In the UAE, people from more than 200 countries around the world are living peacefully regardless of their ethnicities and beliefs”, the sermon will say.