Ayatollah Sheikh Ahmed Moballeghi participated in the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, held under the theme “One Nation, One Shared Destiny.”
Ayatollah Moballeghi emphasised that Islamic unity is not merely an intellectual concept, but a religious obligation dictated by the objectives of Sharia. He underscored that intra-sect dialogue must be prioritised as a means to restore relationships affected by differences and rebuild the Islamic nation on a foundation of understanding and harmony.
He noted that Sharia came to organise the affairs of the Islamic nation and ensure its cohesion, not to consolidate division or disunity, explaining that Sharia is not an end in itself, but was established to serve and uphold religion in people’s lives.
Ayatollah Moballeghi explained that disruptions in the relationship between Sharia and the Islamic nation could turn it from a unifying force into a source of division. He emphasised that differences in interpretation are not the issue; rather, their politicisation undermines the Islamic nation instead of fostering constructive intellectual discourse.
He emphasised that jurisprudential differences should not lead to division but should instead be approached with a scholarly and comprehensive mindset that recognises Islam as a unified entity rather than fragmented groups in conflict.
Ayatollah Moballeghi said that the development of Islamic sciences in each sect limits their comprehensive vision of the Islamic nation. He noted that this has led to narrow jurisprudential interpretations that do not fully reflect the essence of Sharia in its connection to the wider Islamic nation. He emphasised that when sects operate independently, their jurisprudential perspectives may reinforce division rather than fostering unity, ultimately weakening the influence of religion in society.
He emphasised that for Sharia to fulfil its true role, Islamic science must adopt a vision that regards the Islamic nation as a single entity. Jurisprudential diversity, he said, should be a source of integration rather than division.
Ayatollah Moballeghi called for a review of Islamic education curricula to emphasise commonalities between sects rather than differences, noting that any academic approach that neglects the unity of the Islamic nation risks disconnecting Sharia from contemporary realities and, consequently, from its religious purpose.
Concluding his remarks, Ayatollah Moballeghi emphasised that Islamic unity is not just a slogan but a religious obligation that requires redefining the relationship between Sharia and the Islamic nation. He stressed the need for a structured and ongoing dialogue between sects within Islamic thought to strengthen stability and cohesion across the Islamic nation.
