Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League (MWL) and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, delivered the keynote address at a high-level meeting of the Expert Group at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. His speech underscored the need for religious dialogue that builds bridges and moves beyond repetitive discussions and recurring themes.
Two Tracks of Dialogue
Al-Issa outlined the MWL's impactful dialogue efforts following two tracks. The first track focuses on the Islamic world, encompassing all schools of thought and traditions. This track led to the Charter of Makkah and the Charter of Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects, both commended by member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC recommended adopting the Charter of Makkah in religious, cultural, and educational institutions across the Islamic world.
The second track involves dialogue between the Islamic world and others. This resulted in the 'Building Bridges Between East and West' initiative at the UN headquarters in New York and the 'Protecting Global Youth from Extremist and Violent Ideologies' initiative at the UN Office in Geneva. Both initiatives were attended by UN leaders and prominent religious, intellectual, parliamentary, academic, and youth figures.
Preventive Peace and Effective Dialogue
Al-Issa stressed the importance of preventive peace, which aims to avert the early-stage escalation of civilizational conflicts that can lead to war. He highlighted the MWL's efforts in this field over more than a decade. He also reviewed the key factors behind effective dialogue and the main reasons many dialogues fail to achieve their intended outcomes.
Separately, Al-Issa met with Islamic religious leaders, including business figures from across the UK. The meeting discussed the Islamic civilizational approach to addressing issues affecting Muslim communities in non-Muslim countries. He commended Muslims in the UK for their example in promoting coexistence and social cohesion, stating, 'On behalf of the MWL, we take pride in this distinction, which reflects the values of Islamic civilization and the awareness of its people regarding citizenship and the importance of strengthening social cohesion.'
Recognition and Achievements
The attendees praised the MWL's global role, expressing appreciation for its initiatives and international standing. They noted, among its UK achievements, Al-Issa's reception by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, making him the first Arab and Muslim figure received by the king after his accession to the throne. They also commended the MWL's efforts to counter extremist ideologies and clarify the message of Islam, saying that its approach has earned respect and trust. The attendees praised Al-Issa's address at the UN General Assembly marking the first International Day to Combat Islamophobia, as well as his religious representation of the Islamic world at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
