Chelle’s interview with Dr. Ahmad Sakr.

Chelle: 

10. Does your denomination have a designated leader, such as a Pope or Prophet? If so, does he/she speak for God infallibly?

 Sakr:We have people in the Muslim world, there are different levels appointed by the government. There are imams, sheikhs (they lead the community in their prayers), mufti (higher level), quadi � judge, grand mufti (top leader)

 mm: It was a good question. Dr Sakr should have replied Yes or No. Then what a government has got to do with it?? That is not explained. Is it a govenment party?? The question of infallibility has also not been answered. That was an important question. Answer has been avoided.

Is it a group without a leader?? Or a ship without a Captain??

 Chelle: 11. What is the procedure by which your denomination can change its teaching on something? Does one person get a revelation? Do delegates at a convention vote on it?

Sakr: Any religious decision has to be discussed with the grand mufti and he will give the final decision

 mm:Another good question. It shows that there is no revelation. The matters are decided by mutual consultation. That is good. But the base of decision should have been told  e.g. All matters are in accordance with the teachings of Quran and Sunnah (I am sorry if this had been descibed by Dr Sakr in earlier questions, then forget it.) Hadith also has a major part in it.

The interpretation of the Quran, Sunnah and Hadith is done by their Ulema and the Grand Mufti will give the final decision. That is good.

 Chelle: 12. To what extent does your denomination seek to develop inter-denominational ties with other churches? If so, which ones?

 Sakr: We have many. We have been asked that we have interfaith meetings with everybody. During the month of Ramadan we do it at a hotel and we invite Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, all of them. There is no proselytizing, no teaching, just meeting together and sharing commonalities.

 mm:That is good to know each other. But that is not enough. There must be peaceful preaching. The message has to be given in clear words very gently to the non Muslims. That is called Tableegh.

 These meetings could be useful as a stepping stone only. What the Shia Sunni has to do with it, that I have not understood. Is Dr. Sakr a Shia?? Or, is he a part of Tableeghi Jamaat?? Please reply.

 Chelle and Seekshidayath, thank you for telling that the person is a Sunni but inclined to Shiaism. It does matter. These two sects cannot be reconciled. The beliefs are very much different and highly opposing.

 There are many people like that. There is a report of another religious leader, one like that who is a Sunni and inclined towards the Shias. I will have to read the interview all over again to be able to raise more questions. I need to know more about Sakr, where he lives?? Works??  Does his denomination have any name?? etc.