Saudi Arabia inaugurates interfaith centre in Vienna

[Meesna]

Interesting news;

Saudi Arabia inaugurated an interfaith center in Vienna Thursday and its foreign minister said he hoped the spirit of tolerance embodied by the new institution will help change his conservative Muslim country, which prohibits any religion except Islam.

The statement by Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal was an unusually clear declaration of intent by Saudi Arabia's rulers to work for religious and societal reforms from abroad in the face of domestic opposition to rapid change.

The founding document cites principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human rights, "in particular, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion." It emphasizes "human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion."

Its board will consist of three Christians, three Muslims, a Jew, a Buddhist and a Hindu.

Saudi-backed religious tolerance center opens - Timesonline.com: Europe:

 

[Mosamania]

Truth is it is our religious clergy that is holding us down. And they are very very powerful. Hopefully all these things will weaken them in time.

 

[nasser07]

Is this is a joke? Saudia Arabia and religious tolerance is an oxymoron.

 

[JonAsad]

^^ well- what can i say- the joke is on you now-

 

[Major Sam]

why they are doing this

 

[Developereo]

I don't understand. How will a center in Vienna help improve tolerance within Saudi Arabia?

 

[JonAsad]

I don't understand. How will a center in Vienna help improve tolerance within Saudi Arabia?

its a positive start, they have to start from some where, a reason could be the inner struggle between the religious clergies and some what moderate sheikhs, the start is all that should matter.

another question could be why in oct 2011, why not dec or jan next year -

 

[Mosamania]

I don't understand. How will a center in Vienna help improve tolerance within Saudi Arabia?

Because there is a cold civil war in Saudi Arabia between the conservatives and the Moderates. Opening a center in Saudi Arabia will be used by the Moderates as victory and Conservatives will see it as an insult and it will get very heated and maybe some violence will occur since some conservatives are now openly labeling the Moderates as "part of an Iranian-American plot against Saudi Aabia".

King Fahad was the biggest conservative backer while King Abdullah is the biggest Moderates backer. So most Conservatives see can't wait for King Abdullah to die so they can move in on the next King. If he opens this center here they it will be their last straw.