Latest news with #MohammadTawhidi
National Post
6 days ago
- General
- National Post
Imam of Peace: Mohammed Tawhidi and his surprisingly controversial message
In a black outer robe trimmed with a thin golden line and a traditional white turban, Imam Mohammad Tawhidi warmly greeted and welcomed guests to a hall on the second floor of a modest two-storey building in Toronto, even personally escorting some to their seats. The occasion, on March 31, was an Eid reception to mark the end of Ramadan, Islam's holiest month of fasting and prayer, and it was the first such reception of the Global Imams Council 's new western headquarters in Canada. Article content Article content Article content The charismatic Tawhidi serves as a governing member of the council, comprised of faith leaders and scholars of all Islamic sects. The group advocates against Islamic extremism and promotes peaceful and meaningful relations with Jewish people and the Jewish nation. Article content Article content Inside, the room buzzed with diversity, as community leaders, activists and even Jewish rabbis came to hear Tawhidi's powerful speech calling for peace and unity among all faiths. Widely known as the 'Imam of Peace,' Tawhidi was born in Qom, a religious city in Iran, but his parents are from Iraq. The cleric later fled the regime of Saddam Hussein and eventually settled in Australia. Coming from a long line of Shia clerics, he proudly says, 'We are Shia Orthodox — orthodox in our beliefs and conservative in our traditions.' Article content Educated in Islamic studies, Tawhidi is pursuing a doctorate in Islamic jurisprudence. He was ordained as an imam in Qom, Iran, in 2010, and again in Iraq in 2013. Article content Article content Unlike other Muslim imams, Tawhidi has sat with Jewish rabbis in synagogues, and Christian priests in churches. He has publicly denounced groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, calling them terrorist organizations. He says Jerusalem rightfully belongs to the Jewish people, which earned him praise from interfaith advocates around the world, and threats from extremist Muslims. Article content Article content National Post sat with Tawihidi to learn more about his views. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- General
- Edmonton Journal
Imam of Peace: Mohammed Tawhidi and his surprisingly controversial message
The governing member of the Global Imams Council rejects extremism and says Jerusalem belongs to the Jews Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, widely known as the Imam of Peace, is a governing member of the Global Imams Council, which opened its Western headquarters in Toronto. Photo by Global Imams Council In a black outer robe trimmed with a thin golden line and a traditional white turban, Imam Mohammad Tawhidi warmly greeted and welcomed guests to a hall on the second floor of a modest two-storey building in Toronto, even personally escorting some to their seats. The occasion, on March 31, was an Eid reception to mark the end of Ramadan, Islam's holiest month of fasting and prayer, and it was the first such reception of the Global Imams Council's new western headquarters in Canada. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The charismatic Tawhidi serves as a governing member of the council, comprised of faith leaders and scholars of all Islamic sects. The group advocates against Islamic extremism and promotes peaceful and meaningful relations with Jewish people and the Jewish nation. Inside, the room buzzed with diversity, as community leaders, activists and even Jewish rabbis came to hear Tawhidi's powerful speech calling for peace and unity among all faiths. Widely known as the 'Imam of Peace,' Tawhidi was born in Qom, a religious city in Iran, but his parents are from Iraq. The cleric later fled the regime of Saddam Hussein and eventually settled in Australia. Coming from a long line of Shia clerics, he proudly says, 'We are Shia Orthodox — orthodox in our beliefs and conservative in our traditions.' Educated in Islamic studies, Tawhidi is pursuing a doctorate in Islamic jurisprudence. He was ordained as an imam in Qom, Iran, in 2010, and again in Iraq in 2013. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Unlike other Muslim imams, Tawhidi has sat with Jewish rabbis in synagogues, and Christian priests in churches. He has publicly denounced groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, calling them terrorist organizations. He says Jerusalem rightfully belongs to the Jewish people, which earned him praise from interfaith advocates around the world, and threats from extremist Muslims. National Post sat with Tawihidi to learn more about his views. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. Why are you known as the Imam of Peace? Why not? That's my question. Why not? In fact, every imam should be an imam of peace, not just me. An imam is someone who represents the teachings of God, the wishes of God, and everything that comes down from God should be (about) peace, and what revolves around peace and what helps us reach either inner peace or social harmony, to make our lives better, not to turn our lives into misery, right? Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. So, anyone who says (they) represent anything to do with religion and God should be a representative of nothing but peace and positivity. So why not? But the reasons for the name are multiple. Initially, I was referred to as an Imam of Peace in Australia. Why? Because putting me in a box was very necessary, at least for the Western world. I didn't fit with the fundamentalists, and I didn't fit with the extremists, and I didn't fit with the traditionalists, and I didn't fit with the political Islamists. So, I found myself in my own corner with my own followers and friends, and so I adopted the name. It helped me greatly in identifying myself. It's a question of who is this guy and what does he do? Listen, I'm not left wing or right wing. I am human wing. In the Middle East, people know where you stand either by knowing your tribal positions, or they know which school of thought you associate with, or they know your teachers, so they can put you in a box. But in the West, they don't know. They see a guy with a turban and a beard — is he good? Is he safe? What's the deal? And someone with a message like me, who is an imam and a preacher, it's important for me to make it easier for them to understand because I am in their society. They're not in my society. I'm in the West. So, I'm speaking to an audience that is both Muslim and Western, and I'm speaking in their language, and they have the right to know who's talking about their affairs and issues in society, providing advice and so on. It helps everyone that I identify myself proudly as what I stand for. In my social media profiles, I describe myself with two words: peace advocate. (Those) two words explain exactly who I am. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Global Imams Council is a council of Sunni and Shia Muslim clerics, imams, jurists, some of them are diplomats, representing all Muslim schools of thought, sects and denominations with no discrimination. We are a very, very diverse council, and the only one of its kind in the world. There are Sunni councils and there are Shia councils and there are Sufi councils. We are the only imam council in the world that is international and embracing of all Muslims. This, in itself, is a huge achievement. We represent Islam and Muslims through the organizations, schools and institutes that our imams have and run, and the pulpits they have, and through our affiliations with the seminaries and grand muftis around the world, and the grand Ayatollahs who are aligned with our view of peace. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Firstly, as a global council, you need to maintain your global presence. And in the West, the city that has one of the largest numbers of diplomatic corps and diplomatic missions in the world is Toronto. Through Toronto, we have been successful in engaging multiple countries over the last two years, starting with Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Georgia; and in the future, we're talking to Azerbaijan and other countries. Also, some Muslim groups, Muslim schools of thought, and their leaders all begin from Toronto. I am also married to a Canadian, and I have a Canadian daughter. I have been active in Toronto since 2018 and got married in Canada in 2022. You have attracted criticism from a number of corners. For example, you said Jerusalem is a land for Jews and were labelled a pro-Israel imam. You have also been called 'far right' and other things. What is your response to that? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. I have not said anything. God said Jerusalem belongs to the Jews. In the Holy Qur'an, Chapter Five, Verse 20 onwards, God tells Moses to take his people into the Holy Land and to never leave. So, who are the people of Moses? The people who follow the Torah, who are Jews, the nation of Moses. That's God's wish. I don't care if they went or they didn't go; that's not my concern. My concern is God's wishes. That is what God wants. This is a land title for where the Jews should exist on this Earth. I am not pro-Israel. I'm not a politician. I am pro-Qur'an. I am pro my Qur'an. I am pro the wishes of my God. This is a very different distinction, and I do not care a single bit about political narratives. I only care about what is in my Qur'an. That is my constitution in life. God doesn't care about human politics or useless arguments between humans. God cares about what he ordered us to do and if we abided by it or not. That's what I believe. On the Day of Judgment, God is not going to ask me about any political view. He's going to ask me how did I receive his book and what did I do with it? So, I am a defender of God's book. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If the Jewish people were claiming Mecca is theirs, it would be a different argument. But they're not. They're claiming what God gave them, and the land title is in my book, so how can I refuse it? So, I did not say anything from myself. I am quoting the Qur'an, and I'm allowed to quote the Qur'an. (The GIC is) making sure — and this is very important — that the extremists are not the only voices representing the Muslim community ... When it comes to 'far right,' I am not far right. I did not even know what the term 'far right' meant until 2015. I grew up in a Muslim society, largely speaking Arabic, and I went to a Muslim private school. I lived in the Middle East for most of my teenage years, and I studied in the Middle East. The first time I heard the term 'far right' was when Donald Trump was running for office in 2015, and the headlines were saying, 'far right,' 'far right.' I did not know anything about left wing and right wing in the West. To me, the West was of two categories: the Westerners who liked us and our Prophet, and the Westerners who hated us and our Prophet. That's how we understood it, that's how we were raised in Muslim private schools in Australia. We didn't get into political terminologies — leftists and socialism and the right and capitalism. This is very foreign to us, but we became accustomed to these terminologies after 2015 because of the news and headlines. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. So, I don't have an ideology that is political. I have an Islamic ideology. My belief system is Islamic. It's not political Islam. It's purely Islamic. I cannot be right wing or left wing, because I put my religion first. I have a quote about this. I say, 'Listen, I'm not left wing or right wing. I am human wing.' And if you really come down to my views on things, you will find that I have a lot in common with people who are in the centre. I believe in family values. I also believe in lower taxes. I'm an immigrant, right? So, I cannot be anti-immigration. The real issue is who I am now, the person I am. I have to be accessible, and I have to engage people of all backgrounds, because my message is universal. As an imam, you're visiting synagogues, churches, you're meeting with rabbis. Isn't that quite rare among Muslims? Do you vote green? Red? Blue? I don't ask. I go and I sit with the Jews, and I sit with the Christians, and we don't even speak politics. We only speak about peace and interfaith and what is common between us. We don't engage in cheap talk. Political talk is cheap talk. It changes, and we cannot measure our friendships based on political positions, right? But there are some exceptions. For example, we must all agree that Hamas is a political entity and should be destroyed. Hezbollah is a political party, and the militia to the political party must be destroyed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. We don't sit with anyone who disagrees that Hamas is a terrorist organization. These are views on political organizations that we care about. We care about where people stand when it comes to these Islamist Muslim Brotherhood extremist organizations, right? I'm not interested in arguing about things that change. No, I'm only interested in discussing what concerns the principles that cannot be violated. Health care and taxes and wage gaps — these things will always be in the political sphere, discussed and argued and written about. These are harmless topics. But there are principles one should never violate. Hamas is a terrorist organization. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organization. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, and this is what I ensure is common between us and whoever we sit with. Otherwise, we don't sit with them. We don't sit with anyone who disagrees that Hamas is a terrorist organization. This is as political as we go. We don't have any other politics or political views. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Firstly, what we are doing is we are representing Muslims in a professional way that has never been done before. We are doing so through Parliamentarians, through the media, through provincial governments, through meetings with the federal government, with the police. And we're also representing the Muslim diaspora in Canada while having our activities in the Middle East. So, we explain to Muslim leaders in the Middle East — jurists and grand muftis — the situations and challenges and needs of the Muslim community in the West. Secondly, we are making sure — and this is very important — that the extremists are not the only voices representing the Muslim community, because in a democracy you cannot silence people. They will always have the right to freedom of speech and belief and expression, but the extremist should never be the only voice that represents Islam and the Muslim community. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Thirdly, we are actually working on projects that are needed in the Muslim community. We are working on an education curriculum that revolves around a culture of peace that is in line with the Abraham Accords (agreements between Israel and several Arab nations to foster mutual understanding and co-operation) and the teachings that make the Abraham Accords a real, lived reality in Canada. The Abraham Accords mirror the values of Canada. What are Canadian values? Harmony, peace, coexistence, bridge-building, interfaith, multiculturalism, diversity, acceptance of one another. All these values are literally what formed the Abraham Accords. So, it's very important to make that link with the Muslim world that is shifting and changing toward peace and harmony. The GIC in Canada is translating that into a Canadian context for the Muslim community and the broader, tolerant Canadian majority. Read More Politics Cult of Hockey Sports Columnists Local News
Al Etihad
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UAE lesson on education for peace resonates in Brussels hall
25 May 2025 23:03 By Mohammad Tawhidi*The halls of the European Parliament in Brussels became the stage for an important gathering of global thought-leaders, parliamentarians, ambassadors, religious figures, and scholars on May 20. The event was to discuss "Strategies to Combat Radicalism in the Middle East and Around the Globe Through Education for Tolerance and a Culture of Peace", where voices from across continents made a clear, powerful, and urgent call to action: radicalism can only be defeated by the constructive power of event was marked by a predominant UAE presence and a formidable display of global unity and intellectual leadership. From lawmakers to religious leaders, all were bound by a shared purpose: to chart practical, cross-cultural strategies to counter extremism and promote human the heart of the conference was a consensus: the ideologies fueling global radicalism must be uprooted not only through counterterrorism efforts but through robust, values-driven education systems that elevate human dignity, reject hatred, and instil Al Sahlawi, Ambassador of the UAE to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, along with TRENDS Research and Advisory, exemplified the UAE's leading role on the global stage in promoting tolerance and combating extremism. Chairman Antonio López-Istúriz White, Member of the European Parliament and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, praised the UAE's leadership, describing it as "a model for bridging civilisations and a true global partner in the war of ideas against radicalism."The UAE delegation also included influential figures such as: Dr. Khalid Al Ghaith, Secretary General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, Ahmed bin Mohammad Al Jarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Dr. Mohammed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory and the think-tank's researchers on education policy Shaikha Al Nuaimi and Elyazia Al Al Ali delivered a critical, data-driven analysis of the ideological ecosystems that empower radical groups, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, highlighting the urgent need for EU-wide vigilance and transnational research UAE representatives echoed a firm position: tolerance is not a slogan, it must be embedded in education, culture, and diplomacy. The Abrahamic Family House's role in interfaith peacebuilding was cited as a replicable model for regional and international proceedings were marked by a refreshing, united consensus among EU leaders and interfaith organisations where speakers emphasised that radicalism is not confined to one region, religion, or demographic. Rather, it is a transnational threat, often incubated by extremist were repeated calls for increased scrutiny of extremist political movements operating within democratic systems. Speakers stressed that groups like the Muslim Brotherhood exploit democratic freedoms to destabilise societies from Gaztelu, Director of the European Commission's Directorate General for MENA, praised the UAE's holistic approach and stressed that a proactive policy must involve disrupting the ideological supply chains that feed terrorism, an area where educational reform is Romanian President Emil Constantinescu presented the frameworks for national peace curricula and shared measurable outcomes of tolerance-based education initiatives within his their part, interfaith and diplomatic figures added that peace is not solely the responsibility of governments, it must be co-owned by faith leaders, civic institutions, and educators. The policy forum concluded with strong recommendations for institutional commitments, including the formation of an EU–Middle East Education Task Force. This Force can develop and implement peace-oriented educational curricula while recommending the EU for the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist entity, supported by evidence-based gathering marked a strategic shift and pulsed with a shared understanding. It reflected a collective realisation that the war on terror must evolve into a war on ignorance, hate, and ideological manipulation. The world is no longer content with reactive policies. It demands proactive, preventive, and educational strategies that address radicalism at its roots, before the seeds are even this mission, the UAE and its international partners, including the European Parliament, TRENDS, the Global Imams Council (GIC), and the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition, have not only risen to the occasion, but are now charting the path the insight and cooperation witnessed in Brussels are any indication, the seeds for global peace may be sown in the classrooms. *The writer is a researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory
Al Etihad
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
The enduring legacy of Sheikh Zayed
2 Mar 2025 23:54 By Imam Mohammad Tawhidi*The UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan left an indelible mark on the world as a leader who harmonised Islamic principles with modern governance. His visionary leadership transformed the UAE into a thriving global hub of progress, tolerance, and prosperity. His legacy serves as a timeless model of how Islamic leadership can guide nations towards unity, development, and peaceful the core of Sheikh Zayed's leadership was a profound commitment to the values of Islam, that are justice, compassion, and equality. He believed that governance should reflect the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, prioritising the wellbeing of all people. Sheikh Zayed once stated: 'To treat every person no matter what his creed or race as a special soul is a mark of Islam.'Sheikh Zayed's policies consistently reflected these values. His commitment to justice was evident in his efforts to mediate disputes among tribes and ensure equitable access to resources. His compassion was displayed in his focus on social welfare programmes, ensuring that Emiratis and expatriates alike had access to healthcare, education, and unification of the UAE in 1971 was Sheikh Zayed's crowning achievement. This monumental task required unparalleled leadership, diplomacy, and vision. Sheikh Zayed brought together the rulers of the seven emirates, establishing trust and collaboration among them. He saw unity not as a political convenience but as a moral imperative rooted in the Islamic principle of Shura (consultation).Under his leadership, the UAE's federal system was established, balancing local autonomy with national unity. This governance model has not only stood the test of time but has also allowed the UAE to emerge as one of the most stable and prosperous nations in the deeply rooted in Islamic and Arab values, Sheikh Zayed recognised the importance of modernisation and global engagement. He believed that Islam encouraged education, innovation, and progress. Guided by this belief, he invested heavily in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. He prioritised the empowerment of women, asserting that Islam grants equal rights to men and women. His efforts led to significant advancements in women's education and participation in the workforce, setting a precedent for the broader Arab and Muslim Zayed also embraced environmental stewardship, a value deeply ingrained in Islamic teachings. He launched ambitious projects to combat desertification, preserve water resources, and promote sustainable development, earning him the title 'Man of the Environment' and listed as a 'Champion of the Earth' by the United Nations. A Champion of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Zayed's governance model was defined by inclusivity and tolerance. In a region often marked by sectarian and ethnic divisions, he created a society that welcomed people of all backgrounds and faiths. His belief that Islam is a religion of peace and coexistence shaped the UAE's policies, making it a global exemplar of interfaith established policies that ensured freedom of worship and provided land for the construction of churches, temples, and other places of worship. This commitment to coexistence has become a cornerstone of the UAE's identity, culminating in initiatives such as the Abrahamic Family House and the annual Global Conference on Human Fraternity. Lessons From a Global Legacy Sheikh Zayed's influence extended far beyond the UAE. He was a tireless advocate for Arab and Islamic unity, consistently calling for peaceful resolutions to conflicts. He provided humanitarian aid to countless nations, embodying the Islamic principle of global solidarity. From building mosques and schools in impoverished countries to offering disaster relief, Sheikh Zayed's contributions to the global Muslim community remain unparalleled. In his foreign policy, Sheikh Zayed demonstrated pragmatism and a commitment to peace. He cultivated relationships with nations worldwide, emphasising dialogue and mutual respect. This approach has allowed the UAE to play a pivotal role on the global stage, acting as a bridge between East and Sheikh Zayed's legacy remains critical in offering timeless lessons for leaders worldwide. He demonstrated that Islamic values are not at odds with modernisation but are, in fact, a foundation for progress. By prioritising justice, compassion, and unity, he created a governance model that balanced tradition with a world grappling with polarisation and conflict, Sheikh Zayed's legacy is a reminder that leadership rooted in ethical principles can establish peace, development, and prosperity. His vision continues through his son, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to inspire not only the people of the UAE but also leaders and nations striving to build a better is this enduring legacy that fills me with pride to call the United Arab Emirates my home. *The writer is an Islamic scholar, educator, and Vice President of the Global Imams Council (GIC)
