Abu Dhabi: As part of its cultural and intellectual programme at the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the pavilion of the Muslim Council of Elders organised a seminar titled "Intra-Islamic Dialogue: One Nation and One Shared Destiny". The seminar was delivered by Dr. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Haddad, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders, Senior Mufti at the Fatwa Department in Dubai, and a member of the UAE Fatwa Council.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Al Haddad emphasised that the unity of the Islamic nation represents a fundamental pillar for achieving peace and stability. He noted that division and fragmentation open the door to destruction, strife, and intellectual invasion, clarifying that unity is a divine mandate prescribed by the Holy Quran and advocated by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
He added that since its inception, the Muslim Council of Elders has been committed to building bridges of dialogue between different religions and cultures. One of its key milestones was the signing of the "Document on Human Fraternity" in Abu Dhabi in 2019, signed by the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, and Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The document marked a historic turning point that strengthened the concept of coexistence and global peace.
He explained that after the council's success in extending bridges of dialogue with followers of other religions, there arose an urgent need to focus on intra-Islamic dialogue due to sects differences and divisions that have weakened the nation and led to its disintegration. He confirmed that the call for internal unity has become a religious obligation and a collective responsibility.
He noted that the Bahrain Conference on Intra-Islamic Dialogue represented a qualitative leap in this direction, as it called for the unity of Muslims under the "Call for the People of Qiblah," a charter launched by the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, proposing it as a foundation for Islamic constants and collective joint action. He emphasised that the current challenges facing the nation, whether sectarian strife, intellectual or moral invasion, require the nation to stand united. He said that its strength can only be realised through unity and solidarity.
He conveyed several important messages to Muslims, underlining the necessity of recognising that Islamic unity is a religious obligation, not a choice; adhering to ethical values derived from the Holy Quran and the Sunnah; being aware of the dangers of division and the resulting fragmentation, weakness, and disunity; enhancing solidarity and joint action among members of the nation away from conflict; and prioritising the interests of the nation over narrow personal interests. He also called for the cooperation of religious, academic, and media authorities to entrench the values of understanding and unity.
The Bahrain Conference on Intra-Islamic Dialogue, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in February, launched the "Call for the People of Qiblah: One Nation and One Shared Destiny," which highlighted that the aim of the call is the unity of the Muslim nation, which has been designated as one nation. The call underscored the need to preserve Islamic brotherhood, address it at scholarly and media levels, recognise the legitimacy of sect differences, encourage academic and sect understanding, support scholarly gatherings and freedom of dialogue, and remain vigilant against calls for division, discord, and conflict, which threaten the unity and structure of the nation.
The call also noted that mutual respect among scholars of different sects and their followers is noted in Islamic law. It emphasises that mutual understanding and cooperation in upholding the requirements of Islamic brotherhood is a duty incumbent upon all Muslims. The intra-Islamic dialogue required is not doctrinal or for the sake of convergence, but rather a constructive understanding that embraces many elements of unity in the face of common challenges, while adhering to the etiquette and ethics of dialogue.
It further emphasised that renewing Islamic discourse is essential to repel discord and isolate extreme voices within every sect. The call urged joint cooperation among religious, scholarly, intellectual, and media authorities to confront the culture of hatred and animosity among Muslims and to rescue the message and discourse of Islam from political divisions and pressures.