Scholars at Makkah conference discuss unifying Islamic sects

RIYADH: Some of the world’s leading scholars have gathered in Makkah for a conference titled “Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects.”

The gathering, being held under the patronage of King Salman, and organized by the Muslim World League, began on Sunday evening at a venue near the Grand Mosque.

The two-day conference began with a speech by the grand mufti of the Kingdom and president of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh.

“Islam is a religion of unity, commanding coalition and unity of word and rank, and warning against division and disagreement,” Al-Asheikh said. He added that the prophetic sunnah is filled with injunctions aimed at unifying Muslims and eliminating animosity and hatred.

He said: “When we emphasize this great principle brought by Islam, which calls for every effort to reconcile among Muslims and to avoid anything that may divide them, we address this discourse firstly to their scholars, as Muslims view them as a source of fatwas and religious guidance.”

He said that when scholars engage in dialogue courteously and with good intentions, they create an atmosphere of togetherness. Muslims, in general, consider scholars role models whom they want to emulate, he added.

Al-Asheikh thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their efforts to unify and promote the well-being of Muslims.

MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa announced that the aim of the scholars is to produce a document that outlines guiding principles on ways to build bridges between diverse Muslim communities.

He said: “We are delighted in the MWL to launch the historic conference, the first of its kind, in the sacred precinct and blessed month, in continuation of the contents of the Makkah Document.”