Grand mufti calls for acceptance of differing viewpoints  July
7, 2009  Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh stressed
the importance of accepting differing viewpoints, rather than
forcing a single perspective on society, Arab News reported
Sunday.  Speaking at the opening of the Certified Trainers Forum
for Promoting Dialogue July 4, Sheikh Al-Asheikh said Islamic
scholars are "willing to answer questions, listen to advice, and
discuss and debate for the benefit of people." He added that
the idea is to "cooperate by accepting other viewpoints and not
enforcing one point of view for the sake of the unity of
society.”  Al-Asheikh asserted that dialogue can have a positive
effect on national cohesion. “A person engaging in dialogue,
with all his intellectual and physical power, must work on
strengthening society, not on destroying it,” the daily
reported, adding that it should be based on the teachings of the
Qur’an and Sunnah. However, Al-Asheikh warned, dialogue should
be pursued in good faith and not