ISLAM AND TOURISM FORUM BEGINS IN YEMEN

SANA'A, Oct. 12 (Saba) - Islam and Tourism Forum started on Monday
in Sana'a, with participants expected to highlight tourism in Islam
and its role in promoting the Islamic concepts.

Over the four days from 12- 15 October, the event organized by the
Tourism Promotion Council, is also to tackle issues relating to the
tourist sector as well as misconception that tourism has become a
phenomenon targeting visitors.

A group of elite local and international scholars and thinkers are
attending the forum.

Opening the conference, Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Mujawar stressed
the importance of clarifying Islam's view on tourism and its role as
well as contributing to Islam presentation efforts.

The forum is crucial because it comes within the efforts to develop
the Muslim nation and raise its awareness about the matter, he
noted.

Terrorism and its tragic effects on economic and social development
is one of obstacles facing tourism, with terrorists aiming at
staining Islam, Mujawar said.

Muslim scholars and intellectuals should exert major efforts to
separate Islam and tourism concepts and establish a better
understanding and presentation of terrorism which is deemed a
transborder phenomenon, Mujawar said.

There should also be a hard work to spread tolerant Islamic values
and promote guidance to immunize the people from false mobilization
supported by mistaken groups targeting Islam, he said.

We affirm today the need for more forums and institutional works to
correct misconceptions which some try to connect to Islam, he
concluded.

FR