Abu Dhabi, Dec 09th, 2008 : At the largest congregation on earth, on the foothills of Mount Arafat, where the rituals of Hajj reach their peak, came the voice of the Grand Mufti. Witnessed by hundreds of millions around the world, he reminded once again that "terrorism is contrary to the teachings and tenets of Islam".

Khaleej Times dedicated its editorial today to this 'Voice of Reason' and wrote: 'The message from the Mount of Arafat is loud and clear: "The world must confront and criminalise terrorism we must be cautious of terrorism and fight hostile criminal gangs that destroy countries and people".

'Indeed, this is the essence of Islam, the religion of peace. As more than three million faithful, from around the world, performed the rituals of Haj, the Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh reminded the pilgrims and the world at large that terrorism is contrary to the teachings and tenets of Islam and shared values of humanity and civilization'.

'This year's Haj sermon will be remembered for its extraordinary focus on the threat of extremism facing our world. By urging the faithful to purge their ranks of people who sow the seeds of conflict and hatred, the Grand Mufti sent out a message of love, tolerance and forbearance calling for dialogue between civilisations and followers of all faiths'.

'While this is not the first time that a call for peace, reason and tolerance has been given from the Holy City of Makkah, this voice of reason comes at a time when the Muslim world and the world at large are without doubt going through a difficult time in their collective history. More than any time in their history, this call for reason is relevant today'.

'While the world at large battles violence and extremism of all sorts and kinds, the problem poses a clear and present danger to the Muslim world in particular. There are historical factors and reasons at work'.

'But this is no time to talk about them. What is important now is the fact that this war cannot be won by any one country or one community alone. The very future of the mankind is at stake. We are in this together'.(WAM/AB)