The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Lahore International Book Fair hosted its second cultural seminar, titled “The Efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders to Advance Intra-Islamic Dialogue.” The event featured prominent speakers, including the esteemed scholar Lal Hussain Al-Tuwaheedi, Coordinator of Shia Institutes in Pakistan, and Professor Dr. Muhammad Abdullah, Director of the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Center at the University of Punjab – Lahore. The session was moderated by Dr. Arshad Al-Azhari, Director of the Muslim Council of Elders’ Office in Pakistan, and was attended by a large audience of fair visitors.
The seminar addressed the importance of Islamic unity in confronting the challenges facing the Muslim world. It emphasized the need to promote moderate religious education in schools and universities to protect young people from falling into sectarianism. Speakers called on governments and Islamic institutions to adopt educational programs that reinforce the values of unity, tolerance, and coexistence. They stressed that the Glorious Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) call for unity and solidarity among Muslims and that the many commonalities that bring them together should far outweigh the few differences that exist.
In his address, Lal Hussain Al-Tuwaheedi emphasized that the Muslim Ummah nation chieving unity by returning to the Glorious Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet. He highlighted Al-Azhar’s role as a leading institution in promoting global peace and fostering intra-Islamic dialogue. He noted that Al-Azhar is among the few institutions that teach all Islamic schools of thought, thus playing a crucial role in fostering understanding and dialogue among Muslims. He also pointed to the significant role of social media and urged young people to use it to spread a culture of peace and fraternity rather than focusing on divisions.
Dr. Muhammad Abdullah echoed this sentiment, calling for a re-evaluation of sectarian practices that divide Muslims and instead focusing on commonalities that unite the Muslim nation. He referenced the vision of the renowned scholar Muhammad Iqbal on Muslim unity, in which he likened Islam to a tree with a single trunk and multiple branches or a river that gives rise to different streams, illustrating that diversity in perspectives does not equate to division.
The seminar witnessed significant engagement from attendees, who participated in in-depth discussions on the importance of intra-Islamic dialogue and the crucial role of religious and educational institutions in fostering these values.
This seminar is part of the Muslim Council of Elders’ ongoing efforts to promote intra-Islamic dialogue. The Council is also organizing the “Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference: One Nation, A Shared Destiny”, scheduled to be held in Bahrain from February 18 to 19. This conference serves as an extension of the Council’s initiatives to enhance communication among different Islamic schools of thought and explore mechanisms for uniting efforts to address the common challenges facing the Muslim world.
The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the 2025 Lahore International Book Fair continues to attract a large number of visitors for the second consecutive day. It has welcomed many prominent academics and media figures, who have praised the Council’s valuable publications and pioneering initiatives in promoting dialogue and mutual understanding among different Islamic schools of thought. They also commended the Council’s leading role in spreading a culture of peace and coexistence among nations.
The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion will continue welcoming visitors at the Lahore International Book Fair until February 9 at Expo Center Lahore, Hall 1, Booth 1-6. The pavilion showcases a remarkable selection of books, intellectual publications, and initiatives aimed at promoting peace and coexistence, reflecting the Council’s pioneering role in uniting Islamic efforts and fostering greater understanding among Muslims of various intellectual and theological backgrounds.