Ouagadougou: Participants in the international conference titled ‘Building Bridges Between Islamic Sects’, organized by the Muslim World League in Mecca Al-Mukarramah, highlighted the importance of consolidating ties between peoples of the Islamic Nation and destroying calls for division, sowing discord and distorting the image of Islam and Muslims.
Secretary General of the Association of Islamic Universities, Dr. Sami Al-Sharif, explained that the conference comes at an important time, noting that the theme of the conference was chosen because the Islamic world is going through serious challenges due to distortion of the image of Islam and Muslims.
He stressed that this image requires establishing bridges with the West and with others to correct the image of Muslims, highlighting the efforts undertaken by the Muslim World League represented in numerous initiatives aimed at establishing bridges of cooperation and understanding between East and West.
He said this conference is important because it brings to
gether sects of different Islamic principles. It aims to return to the truth and establish real bridges to present the right image of Islam, created by God, which worships a single Lord, believes in a single Prophet, reads a single Quran and turns to a single Qiblah. According to him, there must be a single position and a unification of ideas and visions to face the danger.
Secretary General of the Central Ahl al-Hadith Society in Pakistan and member of the Pakistani Senate, Dr. Abdul Karim Bakhsh, confirmed that the conference was taking place at an important time and that the Islamic nation was in dire need of unity in the ranks Islamic.
He expressed his thanks to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for organizing this conference next to the Holy House of God, during which he discussed several reasons for the existing differences between Islamic sects and put forward a number of suggestions to resolve these differences, at the same time emphasizing the urgent need to unify the Islamic ranks at t
he present time.
For his part, Secretary General of the Imam Al-Khoei House of Knowledge in Najaf, Jawad Al-Khoei, said that this occasion is in accordance with the honor of the time of the holy month of Ramadan and the sanctity of the place because, he will say, Mecca is a very important factor in uniting hearts and uniting Muslims.
He said: ‘we are, thanks to Almighty God, the foundations of our religion, one and we all share monotheism, prophecy and the two testimonies’.
He praised the pioneering role played by the Muslim World League in the past and present and its constant efforts to bring together and unite Muslim scholars, especially in the current difficult times, where Muslims have to come before the world and demonstrate their strength, unity and cohesion to be the best nation ever created for its people.
In turn, a member of the Council of Muslim Elders, Ali Muhammad Al-Amin, stressed that these circumstances arose with the aim of further uniting the word of the nation and solidarity among them
selves to confront the conspiracies that contribute to sow division among the people.
The international conference also examined ‘Building Bridges Between Islamic Sects’ through its sessions titled ‘Practical Initiatives to Bridging Views of Sect Followers,’ organized by the Muslim World League. The session was chaired by the President of Alexandria University of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Abdulaziz Qansuh.
President of Thailand’s Pattani University, Dr. Ismail Lutfi Javakia, explained that the difference between the nation’s scholars has existed since the days of the Companions and Salaf and is part of human nature.
Dr. Javakia emphasized that all sects can welcome Islamic law and its provisions because common sense is compatible with methodology and moderation.
He noted the importance of the unity of the nation which opens the doors of cooperation and mercy, highlighting what characterizes the country of the Two Holy Mosques in terms of moderation in place and approach by uniting the ranks of the I
slamic nation, including this conference and its results of charters and recommendations.
The Secretary General of the Islamic Summit in Lebanon, the Secretary General of the National Committee for Islamic-Christian Dialogue and the Secretary General of the Arab Team for Islamic-Christian Dialogue in Lebanon, Dr. Muhammad bin Nimr Al-Sammak, noted the practical steps taken by the Muslim World League to bring together the unity of Muslims with the aim of creating an accommodating culture that respects pluralism and diversity in society.
Meanwhile, His Excellency the Under-Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Economic Affairs in Uganda, Dr. Ahmed Kawesa Ssengendu, stressed that solidarity among Muslims is the best way to progress, prosper and advance on the path to success.
On the other hand, Executive Chairman of the Supreme Council of Philippine Scholars for Peace and Development Dr. Abdul Hannan Magarang Tagoe in his speech affirmed that Islam is a religion of peace and respect
s humanity as creation of Almighty God.
He continued that this diversity enriches life on Earth, because each individual has unique skills that they can use to build society and serve humanity, indicating that the diversity of talents and skills leads to complementing each other and achieving to the prosperity and progress of humanity in general.
He stressed the need to respect human diversity, to work to promote a culture of respect and tolerance between peoples, to use skills to build a society where justice and peace prevail, and to recognize that every being human has an inestimable value which will contribute to creating a more humane and united world.
Source: Burkina Information Agency