Recommendations of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference
One Nation, One Shared Destiny
Over two days, from the 20th to the 21st of Sha’ban 1446 AH (corresponding to the 19th and 20th of February 2025), approximately 200 scholars and religious authorities representing various Islamic schools of thought from across the world convened in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and in the presence of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. The conference organized by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Muslim Council of Elders under the theme “One Nation, One Shared Destiny.”
The conference provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the unity of the Muslim Ummah, the principles of dialogue, and the necessity of fostering mutual understanding among its diverse components. Following extensive scholarly deliberations, the participants agreed on the following key recommendations:
1. The unity of the Muslim Ummah is a sacred covenant, and fostering mutual understanding and cooperation to uphold Islamic Fraternity is an obligation upon all Muslims.
2. The intra-Islamic dialogue required today is not one of theological debate or doctrinal reconciliation but must be based on a constructive discourse that fosters mutual understanding, emphasizing the many shared foundations that unite Muslims in addressing common challenges. This dialogue must be conducted with the utmost adherence to the ethics and etiquette of respectful dialogue.
3. Cooperation between religious, scholarly, intellectual, and media institutions is imperative to eradicating the culture of hatred and division among Muslims.
4. The intellectual and cultural heritage of all Islamic schools contains jurisprudential interpretations that may include errors of judgment. Acknowledging and addressing these requires wisdom and courage in engaging in constructive self-reflection. This approach follows in the footsteps of past imams and esteemed scholars across various Islamic traditions.
5. All forms of insult and condemnation must be unequivocally prohibited across all sects. The Quran forbids insulting those who worship other than Allah; therefore, it is even more imperative to uphold respect for fellow Muslims, irrespective of differences in jurisprudential or theological matters.
6. Efforts must be unified to address the most pressing issues facing the Muslim world, including the Palestinian cause, resistance to occupation, and the fight against poverty and extremism. When Muslims of all traditions actively collaborate to support these causes, secondary differences naturally diminish under the overarching principle of Islamic fraternity, as ordained in the Holy Quran.
7. Leading Islamic institutions are urged to undertake a comprehensive scholarly project that systematically documents all points of agreement among Muslims in matters of faith, jurisprudence, and shared values. Such an initiative would significantly enhance the Ummah’s self-awareness, correct misconceptions, foster common Islamic knowledge, and strengthen the global Islamic message.
8. Women play a pivotal role in reinforcing unity within the Muslim Ummah and fostering mutual understanding, both through their contributions within the family and through their academic and societal engagement.
9. Islamic unity must be institutionalized, beginning with educational curricula, extending to mosque sermons and media discourse, and culminating in policies that promote an informed culture of understanding. This requires the development of textbooks that teach the jurisprudence of diversity, platforms that counteract hate speech, and joint social, developmental, and civilizational initiatives.
10. The conference calls for the development of a new strategy for intra-Islamic dialogue that considers the concerns and aspirations of youth, leveraging modern communication tools and digital platforms. Religious discourse must actively engage with their technological and digital realities and reflect their vision for the future of Islam in an evolving global landscape.
11. The conference underscores the need to strengthen intra-Islamic dialogue platforms by establishing specialized committees under the umbrella of major religious institutions, facilitating dialogue among Muslim youth from diverse backgrounds.
12. Initiatives and programs should be developed to encourage dialogue among young Muslims of different Islamic traditions, including Muslim youth in the West, to connect them with their Islamic heritage, reinforce mutual understanding, and promote inter-school collaboration. Such efforts should provide positive role models that strengthen young Muslims’ religious identity.
13. The launch of scholarly and institutional initiatives to enhance dialogue among Muslims of all schools of thought, dismantling stereotypes and addressing sources of tension and disagreement. These efforts will also improve the global image of Islam and combat different forms of Islamophobia.
14. A unified Islamic discourse should be formulated, inspired by the ‘People of the Qiblah’ charter which was issued at the conference, to serve as a guiding reference for Islamic institutions under the theme “One Nation, One Shared Destiny.”
15. The conference calls for the establishment of the ‘League for Intra-Islamic Dialogue’ by the Muslim Council of Elders, which will serve as a platform for open communication and engagement among all components of the Islamic Ummah, without exclusion. This initiative is rooted in the Prophetic tradition that defines the Muslim community as one nation. The General Secretariat of the Muslim Council of Elders will oversee the formation of a joint committee for intra-Islamic dialogue, tasked with implementing the conference’s resolutions. In coordination with Al-Azhar, preparations will commence to organize the second Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Cairo, as announced by His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb during this gathering.
Closing Acknowledgments
The conference participants extend their deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain for his esteemed patronage and the gracious hospitality of the Kingdom of Bahrain in hosting the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference.
Profound appreciation is also expressed to His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, for his sincere invitation, distinguished presence, and invaluable contributions to the conference proceedings. Participants further extend their gratitude to the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, for the warm reception and exceptional organization of the event.
Additionally, special recognition is given to Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam and the team at the Muslim Council of Elders for their dedicated efforts in preparing and organizing the conference and for ensuring that it was conducted at the highest standards.
