Islam is religion of peace, says President of Al-Aqsa Mosque during visit to England

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Monday 30 Nov 2015 - 10:45 Makkah mean time-18-2-1437 Image from Gloucester Citizen Gloucester, England (IINA) - Sheikh Omar Kiswani, president of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, said that the people who are committing atrocities in the name of Islam "cannot be true followers" of the faith, Gloucester Citizen reported. He also condemned those who claimed to commit atrocities in the name of Islam. Sheikh Kiswani made the remarks at a talk held at the Friendship Cafe in Barton during his visit to Gloucester city in the South West region of England. He travelled from Jerusalem to Gloucester, in his first stop of the current UK tour, with the objective of encouraging people to visit Al-Aqsa, Islam's third holy mosque. During the talk, he said: "The message of Islam is one of peace and one of respecting the different faiths and cultures. Those who carry out atrocities in the name of Islam are not followers of Islam." The Sheikh recalled the history of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is regarded by Muslims as next only to Makkah and Madinah in its religious significance. He also spoke about the mosque's role in the continuing conflict between Israel and Palestine, and how the region was peaceful many years ago. "At the time when the Caliphs ruled, the region had peace and harmony. When a community is oppressed or going through times when their lands may have been taken or occupied, tensions will remain." "Only when these issues are resolved, then those days can come back again."  Around 26 people from Gloucester visited Al-Aqsa Mosque in 2007.  Imran Atcha, coordinator of the Friendship Cafe, hoped the Sheikh's visit would encourage another group to visit the mosque.  He said: "It's an honour that someone in such a high position in a blessed place came to visit Gloucester. "It was important to hear a positive message of peace and to welcome the people of Gloucester to make an effort to visit the holy land." From his side, Dave Bennett, who also attended, added that the talk was "very informative." He said: "A strong message of peace came through. The visit is tremendous for people who work at the cafe." SM/IINA