'Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools Of Thought' Conference Kicks Off In Makkah

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and with the participation of the Grand Muftis of the Islamic nation and its scholars from all sects and denominations from more than 90 countries, the second edition of the international conference: "Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought" was launched on Thursday in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, which the Muslim World League called for this year, under the title: "Towards an Effective Islamic Coalition"; with the aim of developing practical programs for the document on building bridges between Islamic schools of thought, and coordinating positions to confront common challenges and risks.

The conference began its work with a speech by His Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, President of the General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League, Chairman of the Council of the Islamic Fiqh Academy, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, which was delivered on his behalf by His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, Dr. Fahd bin Saad Al-Majed.

His Eminence addressed the conference participants, saying: “Your responsibility is great in raising the voice of wisdom that preserves the unity of the nation and addresses its problems and issues,” stressing that what the Islamic world is facing should be a reason to unite the ranks, avoid exchanging accusations, projections and polarizations, and work to strengthen ties, build trust and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood.

He stressed that the second edition of the “Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought” conference represents an important model related to Islamic sectarian affairs in terms of their scientific and intellectual ladder and warning against tendencies towards conflict and struggle that have increased the troubles of the nation.

For his part, His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, stressed that “difference and diversity are a divine universal law and have been present in Islam for centuries,” warning that “the negative paths of sectarian disputes have not limited their tragedies to their perpetrators, but their sparks have extended to undermine Islam and Muslims in painful incidents that history has recorded in its dark pages.”

He explained that “each sect or denomination has its own particularity that it owes to God, and it has the right to live with it in the dignity of Islam,” and that brotherhood in coexistence, and even the required solidarity, does not necessarily mean being convinced of the particularity of the other, but rather understanding it and respecting its existence. It also means that the umbrella of Islam is one, its brotherhood exists, and that what is common is broad.

For his part, His Excellency the Secretary General of the World Assembly for the Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought in Iran, Dr. Hamid Shahriari, described the “Document on Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought” as a profound scientific text, formulated at a high level of thought based on field evidence and advanced social knowledge, stressing that the historical circumstances experienced by Muslims make it the primary duty of scholars and religious authorities to demonstrate that every citizen of the nation who bears witness to the two testimonies is part of the Islamic nation.

In his speech, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Mr. Hussein Ibrahim Taha, stressed that unity is a religious duty and a historical responsibility, calling for the courage to reject differences, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, and work together towards a unified vision that restores the nation’s glory and regains its pioneering role among nations.

For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Emirates Fatwa Council, Member of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League and Member of the Islamic Fiqh Academy, stressed the importance of Islamic unity on its comprehensive foundations, referring to a number of bridges that help achieve this unity.

His Excellency the Afghan Minister of Justice, Mawlawi Abdul Hakim Shari’i, stressed that understanding and cooperation between the imams and scholars of Islamic schools of thought is necessary and vital to achieve common goals, especially on major issues that require unity of legal opinion.

In turn, the Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Organization, His Eminence Dr. Abu Al-Qasim Al-Dibaji, stressed that the conference represents a milestone on the path to strengthening unity among the sons of the Islamic nation, indicating that achieving unity requires overcoming secondary differences and focusing on common denominators that no one disagrees on.

The opening of the conference was also addressed by His Excellency Ahmad Mazani, Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Ahmad Hassan Al-Taha, Chairman of the Iraqi Fiqh Council, Sheikh Boyar Spahiu, Chairman of the Islamic Council and Grand Mufti of the Republic of Albania, and His Excellency Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony of Pakistan.

Following the opening ceremony, the main session of the conference was held under the title: "Towards an Effective Islamic Coalition", and a session on "Jurisprudence of Difference and the Culture of Coalition" was also held.

The conference activities continue today, Friday, through four sessions on: "Elements of the Islamic Coalition", "Fields of Joint Action between Islamic Schools of Thought according to the Document on Building Bridges", "Issues of the Ummah and Coordination of Positions", and "The Journey of Islamic-Islamic Dialogue".

The conference is expected to witness a closing session in which the final statement of the conference will be announced, and the "Encyclopedia of Islamic Intellectual Coalition", prepared by the Center for Intellectual Protection in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will be launched.