Scholars canvass for one Islamic global community

ISSUES on Muslim unity, tolerance, da’wah methodology, labelling and misconceptions about Islam dominated a two-day international conference held last week in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The conference, facilitated by the Muslim World League (MWL), witnessed a huge attendance of scholars, preachers and thinkers alike with the support of the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Represented by the governor of Makkah, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, King Salman stressed the need for the scholars and preachers across the world to remove misconceptions about Islam and Muslims through dialogue.

The monarch advised Muslims to “set aside their petty differences and work together to achieve a great and prosperous future for Islam to fulfill its obligations to world’s progress.”

Speaking in the same vein, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, who is also the head of the MWL Supreme Council, said the teachings of Islam categorically reject all forms of discrimination.

He, therefore, urged Muslims to forge unity among themselves and do away with rivalries, petty differences, divisions and factionalism.

The MWL Secretary-General, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Alissa, said the problems being witnessed in today’s world emanated from lack of open dialogue, as well as petty rivalries between sects and denominations.

“We must boost the principle of returning to the unifying name, which Allah has called us with, and rise above being defined by sectarian and restrictive group labels which can cause negative consequences and rip the Ummah’s unity apart.

“This unity, however, is possible through solidarity and joint action. Our points of difference can be viewed and addressed through a fraternal dialogue, avoiding accusing one another and at the same time rejecting exclusion and sectarianism,” Alissa said.

In his paper, the Secretary-General, Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen, commended Saudi Arabia’s successful experience against extremism, violence and terrorism, saying such steps had countered the negative label against the Kingdom.

A renowned scholar from Chad, Dr Mohamed Djidda, said the challenge of population explosion, lack of unity, poverty, political and ideological differences was having negative effects on Muslims, urging the faithful to act decisively to correct the situation.

In his paper entitled: “Concept of Exclusion and Ostracism,” Sayed Mohammed Al-Tabtabai, a professor of Islamic Jurisprudence at Kuwait University, called for the protection of Muslims from falling into the temptation of not helping the society when it is their responsibility to do so.

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He also urged Muslims to abide by the provisions of the Qur’an and Sunnah and avoid the dangers of classifications and exclusions as part of the measures to save Muslims from being classified as weak and distorters of the message of Islam.

“Exclusion and classification can lead to labelling some Muslims as extremists and disbelievers. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad has always worked and would work if Muslims can adhere to the principles. Muslims must be united to check the activities of those striving to harm the Ummah. We must shun arrogance and classification of others wrongly,” he said.

Speaking on takfir and extremism, Dr Ismail Osman Mohammed Almahi, the General President of Ansar al-Sunnah Al Muhammadiyah, Sudan, described extremism as un-Islamic and must be shun by all.

The Secretary General of the Islamic Research Academy of Al-Azhar, Egypt, Dr Mohyldin Ahmed Abdulmaged, who spoke on “Apathy and Historical Buildups,” said it should be known that ‘ijtihad’ striving had limitation and that the text of Sharia (Islamic law), which is independent of place and time, should be adhered to.

From Nigeria, Sheikh Abdullah Bala Lau, National Chairman, Jamatul Isalatul Bidi’ah Wa Iqamatul Sunnat (JIBWIS), said the issue of unity and brotherhood was an essential part of Islam as practised by Prophet Muhammad during his lifetime.

Ustaz Abubakr Sideeq of Comerels Travels and one of the sermon translators at the National Mosque in Abuja said it was nice that all perspectives to the theme of the conference were brought to bear, urging all delegates to go and adapt them to their respective challenges in their countries.

The Research Officer of the MWL, Mohammad Akhlaqi, said the conference was aimed, among other things, at promoting awareness about the importance of disseminating the values of scientific, ideological and social moderation to show the truth about Islam.

Over 1,300 delegates from 140 countries, including Nigeria, attended the two-day conference  with the theme “Perils of Labelling and Exclusion.”