Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain will host the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference on February 19-20, themed “One Nation, One Shared Destiny.”
The conference will be attended by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, alongside over 400 Islamic scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals, and experts from across the Islamic world.
The event is organised 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 strengthen Islamic unity and reinforce dialogue among Muslim scholars.
The conference aims to transition from discussions on rapprochement to a structured dialogue on shared principles and challenges.
It seeks to establish a permanent platform for scholarly engagement, emphasising 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, underscored that HM the King’s patronage reflects Bahrain’s deep commitment to Islamic unity and dialogue.
He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to promote coexistence, dialogue, and solidarity while supporting initiatives that strengthen Islamic cohesion.
He also commended the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for its continued support in ensuring the success of the event.
Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed 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, stated that the conference presents a critical opportunity to address historical divisions and sectarian tensions through meaningful engagement and dialogue.
He emphasised that Al Azhar Al Sharif, under the leadership of the Grand Imam, remains committed to fostering unity, rejecting division, and establishing a lasting 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 reiterated the Council’s firm 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 expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the conference and responding to the Grand Imam’s call for an inclusive Islamic dialogue that prioritises shared values while rejecting division and discord.
