The “Communication with the Departments of Religious Affairs, Ifta, and Sheikhdoms in the World” international Islamic conference, held under the theme “Communication and Integration,” concluded today in Makkah.
Organised by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, the conference featured the participation of 150 scholars and muftis from 85 countries, who presented scientific research across seven sessions.
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two-day conference centred around seven main themes. Firstly, it addressed the efforts of global religious affairs, advisory, and sheikhdom departments in serving Islam and Muslims, as well as fostering Islamic unity. Secondly, the conference focused on enhancing communication and integration between reality and aspirations. The third theme covered endeavours aimed at promoting values of tolerance and coexistence among different peoples. The fourth theme delved into the importance of adhering to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah. The fifth theme highlighted the concept of moderation within the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. The sixth theme revolved around strengthening the efforts of religious affairs, ifta, and sheikhdom departments worldwide to combat extremism and terrorism. Lastly, the seventh theme centred on safeguarding society from atheism and decadence.
At the conference’s conclusion, participants formulated a series of recommendations. These included emphasising greater communication and partnership in the realm of Islamic affairs among religious affairs, ifta, and sheikhdom departments worldwide, with the ultimate goal of achieving unity among Muslims. Additionally, participants underscored the importance of aligning fatwas with Sharia teachings, seeking guidance from qualified experts, and preventing abnormal fatwas. They stressed the role of religious administrations, fatwa issuances, and sheikhdoms in promoting moderation through training imams and preachers and combatting extremism.
The participants further emphasised the significance of family protection, effective upbringing, and the promotion of values and principles to counter atheism and societal degradation through targeted awareness programmes.
Furthermore, scholars in attendance highlighted the necessity of countering attempts to distort Islam by elucidating its essence of tolerance, mercy, justice, and rejection of injustice and aggression. They aimed to clarify the misguided approaches of extremist groups, exposing their impact on fueling discord, division, chaos, and insecurity within societies.
The conference’s closing statement condemned the reprehensible and recurrent acts of burning copies of the Holy Quran. These acts were seen as provocations that incite hatred, exclusion, and racism, in stark contrast to universal human values.
The statement lauded the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance for its efforts in fostering communication and integration with global religious affairs, fatwa, and sheikhdom departments. It acknowledged the ministry’s commitment to spreading values of moderation and tolerance. Participants expressed a desire to hold the conference periodically due to its pivotal discussions and the need for coordinated efforts in joint Islamic endeavours.
In addition, participants extended their gratitude to the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince for their overarching care for Muslims. They recognized the Kingdom’s leadership in serving Islam and Muslims, cultivating connections with religious affairs, fatwa, and sheikhdom departments worldwide, and promoting integration.
Finally, participants appreciated the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance for orchestrating the conference. They commended the efforts of the Departments of Religious Affairs, Ifta’, and Sheikhdoms in championing Islam and Muslims, upholding Islamic unity, rejecting division, and fostering the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among nations.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
