Dr. Nazir Ayyad, Grand Mufti of Egypt and Head of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, emphasised the significance of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Bahrain, held under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
He noted that the conference responds to an invitation from His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. He highlighted its importance amid the challenges facing Arab and Islamic nations and emphasised the need to unite around common ground and move away from division and discord.
In a statement to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), the Grand Mufti of Egypt commended the Grand Imam of Al Azhar’s call at the conference’s opening to establish a unified framework for Ahl Al Qibla (People of the Qibla). This initiative aims to set general guidelines for all Islamic sects. He underlined the need for mechanisms to implement this historic document at both the Islamic and human levels, focusing on correcting religious misconceptions and eliminating extremist misinformation that fosters division.
He added that academic institutions have a major role in turning this document from theory into practice. They bear the responsibility of raising awareness, promoting accurate knowledge, and countering misinformation. He also highlighted the role of cultural influence, including drama and media, in presenting an authentic and moderate image of Islamic heritage that fosters unity rather than division.
Dr. Ayad said that the Ahl Al Qibla framework would focus on key principles, including respect for differences, avoiding accusations of heresy or excommunication, and emphasising shared human values. He highlighted that if scholars agree on these points, the success of its implementation will depend on sincerity, goodwill, and the active role of religious institutions in uniting the Islamic nation.
