Youth Leaders Press for Change in Islamic World

Here's a positive development in the war with Global Jihad. A group of rather courageous Muslims are calling for a truly peaceful interpretation of the Qur'an. Of course, they can expect the usual wave of death fatwa's against them from Imams all around the world.

More power to them. If Islam is to ever go through a "reformation" it will have to start with a small number of extremely brave folks.

FROM NEWSMAX.COM:

Youth Leaders Press for Change in Islamic World
Monday, December 29, 2008 7:16 PM

Doha, Qatar -- In an historic time of change and diversity, young Muslim leaders from a broad range of countries are convening to push for change from within the global Muslim community.

An Italian imam, a Saudi fashion designer, an Iranian rapper, a Pakistani madrasa reformer, an American blogger, and a Dutch lawyer are among of participants attending the 2009 Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow conference. This new generation of community-based, forward-thinking Muslim leaders will come together to share a wide range of strategies and leadership styles, to “make tomorrow a day when Muslims are known around the world as people of peace,” in the words of one invitee.

These young Muslim leaders—from Senegal to Somalia, Indonesia to Iraq, Britain to Bahrain, and Kosovo to Kuwait —will propose innovative solutions to challenges facing Muslims globally such as crisis of religious authority, violent extremism, competing values, and strained relations with the West.
The Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow are answering a global call for change on behalf of the world’s Muslim community and will communicate their shared message of tolerance and progressive leadership by authoring a joint statement addressed to today’s global leadership.

Highlights:
The participants will author and sign a major document entitled “An Open Letter to the World Leaders of Today from the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow”—a unique petition with policy recommendations addressed to both Muslim and non-Muslim leaders to be distributed across international media.

Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow will attend a Doha Debate to be chaired by award-winning broadcaster Tim Sebastian and aired on BBC World News.
A “Marketplace of Ideas” will showcase multiple initiatives – founded and led by artists, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, opinion leaders, civil society leaders, and religious leaders – that all aim for positive change.
The 2009 Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow Doha Conference is organized by the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), in collaboration with the Cordoba Initiative and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (AoC). It is being sponsored by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID).