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Arab News
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
2nd ‘Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought' conference concludes in Makkah
MAKKAH: The second 'Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought' international conference concluded in Makkah early on Saturday, with participants from more than 90 countries adopting the 'Encyclopedia of Islamic Intellectual Harmony.' Held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the two-day conference gathered senior muftis, scholars, and thinkers who also approved the strategic and executive plan for the document 'Building Bridges between Islamic Sects,' a media statement said on Saturday. The conference was organized by the Muslim World League and held under the theme 'Towards an Effective Islamic Alliance.' The high-level session dedicated to the recitation of the conference's final statement, which was issued at dawn on Saturday, was attended by the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, and Chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, Sheikh Dr. Mohamed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa; Member of the Council of Experts for Leadership in Iran, Sheikh Ahmed Mobalghi; Adviser at the Royal Court in Saudi Arabia, Imam and Preacher of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hamid; Head of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Imam and Preacher of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais; Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Mustafa Qutb Sano; Member of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Youssef bin Mohamed bin Saeed; and the Mufti of Sidon in Lebanon, Sheikh Mohamed Osseiran. The attendees witnessed the launch of the 'Encyclopedia of Islamic Intellectual Harmony,' which was supervised by the Intellectual Protection Center at the Saudi Ministry of Defense, and was prepared by 60 scholars over about 1,800 pages. The encyclopedia was refereed by the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Fiqh Academy, and the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League to be a roadmap for relations between Muslim sects. Participants also decided in the final statement to consider the 'Document on Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought' with its 28 articles as the basis and starting point for the path of joint Islamic action 'scientifically' and 'intellectually,' with a view to strengthening brotherhood and solidarity among the peoples of Muslim nations. The attendees further extended their sincere thanks to the leadership of the Kingdom for the great services they are providing to Islam and Muslims. They also affirmed their pride in the comprehensive Islamic identity, and their supportive stance toward the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land, and their rejection of displacement and destruction projects. The conference witnessed several sessions addressing developments in Palestine, Sudan, and Syria, as well as issues concerning Muslim minorities around the world.
Arab News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Scholars at Makkah conference call for unity among Muslims
MAKKAH: Participants at the second 'Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought' conference in Makkah have called for unity among Muslims globally. The conference opened on Thursday under the patronage of King Salman, bringing together Muslim leaders of various sects from more than 90 countries. The event, organized by the Muslim World League, is being held under the theme 'Towards an effective Islamic alliance.' The conference opened with several sessions addressing developments in Palestine, Sudan and Syria, as well as issues concerning Muslim minorities around the world. The participants include senior muftis, scholars, intellectuals and representatives from Islamic councils across different sects and denominations. Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh, in his opening remarks, stressed the critical responsibility of Islamic scholars to 'elevate the voice of wisdom' to ensure Muslim unity. His remarks, read by Dr. Fahd Al-Majed, secretary-general of the Council of Senior Scholars, called for reason to prevail over division. He stressed that 'our obligation, in pursuit of compassion for Muslims and their collective unity, is to fortify relationships, establish mutual trust, and strengthen the essential ties of brotherhood.' 'During a time when uncertainties proliferate and debates grow heated, faith's wisdom emerges to direct both intellect and sentiment toward proper understanding. 'We must reject extremism, factionalism, and capricious thinking in favor of evidence-based truth and conscious guidance within Islam's framework. 'The challenges and hardships facing the Islamic world should serve as catalysts for unification rather than opportunities for blame, projection, or division.' The grand mufti added that the event was taking place in 'Saudi Arabia, a blessed land that serves as the pulsing heart of the Muslim world and consistently upholds its responsibilities. 'The Kingdom stands as a vanguard in matters of Muslim unity, solidarity, and collective aspirations, exercising its leadership through effective mechanisms that bring together diverse voices, consolidate ranks, and harmonize efforts and positions.' The MWL's chief Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa said the conference extends the groundwork laid by the document produced after the inaugural meeting last Ramadan. Al-Issa noted that differences and diversity are natural but require proper management. 'When awareness is heightened and intentions are noble, diversity follows a sound path,' he said. He warned warning that negative doctrinal debates have historically harmed both perpetrators and the broader Muslim community. He emphasized that genuine unity, coexistence and solidarity do not require complete agreement but rather mutual understanding and respect. 'While dialogue represents an essential and worthwhile endeavor championed by the wise, it has remained largely static for decades without progressing to the crucial next phase of practical implementation and constructive action. 'This advancement is particularly vital now that we have established our foundation — the broad Islamic commonality that brings us together today and authenticates our identity as true adherents to Islam's name and principles.' He explained that the conference will launch practical initiatives based on the 'Building Bridges' document. 'The initiative, which has received formal endorsement from Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states, now moves to the implementation phase,' he said.
Arab News
20-02-2025
- General
- Arab News
Senior Muslim scholars express appreciation for King Salman's patronage of MWL Islamic conference
RIYADH: Muslim World League chief Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa said members of the organization's bodies, assemblies, and councils have thanked King Salman for his patronage of a conference to be held in Makkah during Ramadan. MWL will host the second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects on March 6-7 in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency announced on Tuesday. The conference will bring together leading muftis, scholars, intellectuals, and representatives from senior Islamic councils, jurisprudential academies, and religious institutions across different sects and denominations. It will serve as a unified platform for fostering constructive dialogue among diverse Islamic traditions as well as coordinating efforts and resources to strengthen Islamic unity, while ensuring mutual respect for doctrinal diversity. Al-Issa explained that members of the organization confirmed that King Salman's sponsorship of the event is an extension of Saudi Arabia's role in strengthening Islamic solidarity, especially among Muslim scholars of various sects. Al-Issa added that members of the league's Supreme Council, Jurisprudence Council, and World Supreme Council for Mosques praised the Kingdom's influence and its influential and respected word among Muslim nations around the world.
