Manama: Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain is set to host the Islamic Dialogue Conference on February 19-20, themed 'One Nation, A Shared Destiny.' The conference will welcome His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, along with over 400 Islamic scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals, and experts from the Islamic world.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the event is organized by Al Azhar Al Sharif, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) in Bahrain, and the Muslim Council of Elders. The initiative follows the Grand Imam's call during the Bahrain Dialogue Forum in November 2022 to enhance Islamic unity and promote dialogue among Muslim scholars. The conference aims to shift from discussions on rapprochement to a structured dialogue on shared principles and challenges.
The conference seeks to establish a permanent platform for scholarly engagement, focusing on areas of consensus among Muslim communities and the role of religious leadership in bridging sectarian divides, countering hate speech, and fostering mutual respect. Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, SCIA President and Chairman of the Conference's High Committee, emphasized that HM the King's patronage reflects Bahrain's commitment to Islamic unity and dialogue.
He reiterated the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to promote coexistence, dialogue, and solidarity while supporting initiatives that strengthen Islamic cohesion. Shaikh Abdulrahman also praised the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for its support in ensuring the success of the event.
Shaikh Abdulrahman highlighted that the conference will serve as a global platform for scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage in constructive dialogue, unify perspectives on key issues, and reinforce intra-Islamic solidarity. Dr. Mohamed Al Duwaini, Deputy of Al Azhar Al Sharif, noted that the conference presents an opportunity to address historical divisions and sectarian tensions through meaningful engagement and dialogue.
He stated that Al Azhar Al Sharif, under the leadership of the Grand Imam, remains committed to fostering unity, rejecting division, and establishing a framework for intra-Islamic cooperation. Mohamed Abdel Salam, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders, affirmed that the conference is a moral and religious imperative, given the challenges facing the Muslim world.
He expressed the Council's belief in dialogue as the most effective tool for achieving unity and expressed hope that the event would pave the way for new partnerships among Islamic institutions, reinforcing the values of fraternity, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence. He also thanked the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the conference and responding to the Grand Imam's call for an inclusive Islamic dialogue that prioritizes shared values while rejecting division and discord.