Religious and Intellectual Authorities at Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference Call for Eradicating Hate Culture and Promoting Mutual Understanding
Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference Recommends Empowering Women to Strengthen Ummah’s Unity
Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference Calls for New Strategy in Islamic Dialogue Responsive to Youth Aspirations
Islamic Consensus on Criminalizing Insults and Curses Among Schools of Thought Emerges from Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference
Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference Calls for Completion of a Scholarly Project Documenting Areas of Agreement Among Muslims
Youth Initiatives to Enhance Islamic Understanding and Combat Islamophobia Launched at Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference
Al-Azhar Grand Imam and Participants at Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference Recommend Crafting Enlightened Da’wah Message Inspired by ‘The Call of the People of Qiblah’
Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference Announces Second Edition to be Held in Cairo
The inaugural Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference wrapped up in the Kingdom of Bahrain, running under the theme “One Ummah, One Shared Destiny” on February 19 and 20, 2025. Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, the event was graced by the presence of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. Over 400 scholars and Islamic figures from diverse intellectual traditions participated worldwide.
The conference’s Final Statement stressed that the unity of the Muslim Ummah is both a covenant and a commitment, asserting that fostering Islamic fraternity is everyone’s responsibility. It highlighted that today’s necessary dialogue is not about theological disputes or reconciling schools of thought but a constructive and understanding exchange that strengthens the commonalities among Muslims to address global challenges, maintaining the principles of dialogue etiquette and ethics.
The Statement called for increased collaboration among religious, intellectual, and media leaders to dismantle the culture of hatred and animosity among Muslims. It emphasized the importance of self-criticism in reassessing intellectual and cultural endeavors and making needed corrections, continuing the legacy of past imams and ulema (scholars). It also underscored the importance of criminalizing insults and curses among Islamic sects, clarifying that Islam forbids causing harm even to those who worship deities other than Allah. Therefore, it is imperative to avoid harming fellow worshippers of Allah, even in the presence of differing jurisprudential views.
The final statement called for uniting Islamic efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause, resisting occupation, and combating poverty and extremism. It highlighted that such cooperation on major issues would resolve minor differences under the umbrella of the Islamic fraternity. Additionally, it recommended completing a comprehensive academic project to document the areas of agreement among Muslims concerning creed, Sharia, and values. This project aims to be a reference that enhances shared Islamic consciousness and corrects misconceptions within the Ummah.
The statement emphasized the pivotal role of women in strengthening Islamic unity, both through their familial roles and their involvement in academic and societal spheres. It advocated for incorporating a culture of understanding into educational programs, religious sermons, media platforms, and developmental initiatives. Moreover, the conference suggested developing a new strategy for Islamic dialogue that addresses youth issues and leverages modern digital and technological means to enhance their engagement with religious discourse and reinforce their Islamic identity in an evolving world.
The statement urged the organization of youth programs and initiatives that unite Muslims from different sects to enhance mutual understanding. It stressed the importance of connecting Muslim youth in the West with their Islamic heritage and removing the mutual stereotypes that obstruct cooperation among different schools of thought. The conference recommended developing a da’wah message inspired by ‘The Call to the People of Qiblah,’ intended for use by scholars, preachers, and Islamic schools under the theme “One Ummah and One Shared Destiny”. It also emphasized the need to establish an Islamic Dialogue Association to facilitate communication across the Ummah without exclusion.
His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, announced preparations, in coordination with Al-Azhar, to host the second Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Cairo, reaffirming the commitment to fostering Islamic unity.
Participants at the conference expressed their appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his patronage of the event. They also thanked the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for his genuine invitation and impactful contribution, and they praised the efforts of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Bahrain and the Muslim Council of Elders for their roles in planning and organizing this important conference.