Riyadh (TDI): The second edition of the international conference “Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought” commenced in Makkah under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Organized by the Muslim World League, this year’s conference is titled “Towards an Effective Islamic Coalition” and brings together grand Muftis and scholars from more than 90 nations, representing different Islamic sects and denominations.
The conference aims to develop practical programs to reinforce the document on building bridges between Islamic schools of thought and coordinate efforts to tackle mutual challenges and threats.
The conference inaugurated with a speech by Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, delivered on his behalf by Dr Fahd bin Saad Al-Majed, Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars.
He emphasized participants to raise the voice of wisdom and promote unity, stressing the need to avoid sectarian conflicts and build trust among Muslims.
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He underlined the significance of fostering brotherhood and warned against divisive tendencies that have historically plagued the Islamic world.
Sheikh Dr Muhammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, highlighted that diversity and difference are a divine law, present in Islam for centuries.
He cautioned against the destructive consequences of sectarian disputes, emphasizing that such divisions have harmed both Islam and Muslims.
“Each sect has its own particularity, but unity does not need uniformity,” he said, advocating for respect and coexistence.
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Dr Hamid Shahriari, Secretary-General of the World Assembly for the Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought in Iran, termed the Document on Building Bridges as a landmark initiative based on rigorous scholarly analysis.
He urged scholars to reaffirm that all who testify to the Islamic faith are part of the same nation.
Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), urged rejecting divisions and working toward a unified vision to restore the Muslim world’s stature.
