Participants in the fourth session of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, themed “Citizenship and Enhancing Islamic Dialogue,” emphasized that the timing of this conference underscores the deep commitment of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders, and the Kingdom of Bahrain to uniting the Muslim Ummah under the inclusive banner of Islam. They commended the efforts to foster values of citizenship and coexistence and expressed hope for a bright religious future built on the work of moderate religious institutions like Al-Azhar, renowned for its moderation, balance, and continuous advocacy for tolerance and coexistence.
At the start of the session, His Eminence Dr. Sayyed Jawad Al-Khoei, Chairman of the Al-Khoei Institute in Iraq, praised the initiative of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, for organizing this significant conference. He highlighted that the conference demonstrates a profound dedication to uniting the Muslim Ummah and strengthening the unity of Muslims under the broad umbrella of Islam. He pointed out that in facing these challenges, the ummah relies solely on its rich and firm scholarly legacy and intellectual heritage, which empower it to confidently tackle these ideological and doctrinal struggles.
His Eminence Sayyed Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former Vice President under Iran’s President Mohammad Khatami and current Chairman of the Institute for Interreligious Dialogue, highlighted the efforts of religious institutions in promoting moderation and tolerance. He also stressed the vital role that moderate religious institutions like Al-Azhar Al-Sharif play in shaping a promising religious future. He highlighted that these institutions, which staunchly oppose extremism and promote moderation and tolerance, are crucial to this effort. His Eminence Sheikh Abtahi identified the diminishing influence of religious scholars and the breakdown in communication with younger generations as major factors fueling extremist interpretations. He also noted that religious institutions’ neglect of emerging issues and their lack of coordination weaken Islamic dialogue. He advocated for stronger collaboration between Al-Azhar and other Islamic institutions to foster productive dialogue.
His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, emphasized that opening channels for dialogue and establishing foundations for understanding and coexistence are fundamental necessities for interpersonal relationships.
He affirmed that Islam highly values dialogue that is founded on a willingness to understand, knowledge, and the coexistence of different cultures and that it values and respects a diversity of opinions within a framework of tolerance. He noted that Islam does not constrain reasoning or contemplation, nor does it compel Muslims to conform to a uniform way of worldly thinking; rather, it continually steers the Muslim intellect toward constructive ideas that enhance humanity with absolute intellectual freedom.
His Eminence Sheikh Talgat Safich Tadzetdinov, the Grand Mufti of Russia, pointed out that Russia’s experience with peaceful coexistence among religions and religious schools of thought serves as a model worthy of the attention of Muslim scholars and thinkers. He highlighted the importance of utilizing the principles of the Prophet’s “Charter of Medina” to build societies founded on justice and equality. He called for enhancing efforts in Islamic dialogue and expanding research related to it, expressing his hope that the conference would produce a “document” that acts as a contemporary activation of the “Charter of Medina” principles to promote Islamic unity and overcome differences.
Mr. Omar Bakhit Adam, Sudan’s Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, stressed the crucial role of citizenship as the foundation for achieving stability and peaceful coexistence among peoples. He suggested transforming the Muslim Council of Elders into a global center to support decision-making on shared Islamic issues. He called on the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Muslim scholars to establish a comprehensive global council focused on Muslim affairs, which would strengthen the values of citizenship, tolerance, and coexistence. He expressed his desire for the conference’s outcomes to enhance dialogue within Sudan, hoping to accomplish this with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar’s presence in Sudan, leveraging his knowledge, wisdom, and commitment to the Ummah to end suffering, conflict, and discord.
It is noteworthy that the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference is a response to an invitation from His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, during the Bahrain Dialogue Forum in November 2022. Held under the generous patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the conference features the participation of over 400 scholars, leaders, Islamic authorities, thinkers, and intellectuals from around the world. It aims to enhance Islamic affairs and the unity of Muslims and to establish a permanent scholarly dialogue mechanism at the level of scholars and authorities of the Muslim world.