Manama, Feb. 21 (BNA): At the conclusion of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the conference issued a declaration titled “Nida’ Ahl Al Qibla” (Call of the Qibla People), advocating for a unified religious discourse under the theme “One Nation, One Shared Destiny”.

The declaration affirms that true Islamic fraternity extends beyond redefining identities or mere rapprochement; rather, it calls for a deeper understanding of the requirements of harmony in light of the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah.

The declaration acknowledges the existence of doctrinal differences and their underlying causes, clarifying that its objective is not to eliminate such differences but to uphold and safeguard Islamic brotherhood. It stresses the necessity of addressing this matter at scholarly and media levels while reaffirming the legitimacy of doctrinal diversity, based on the well-established principle in Islamic heritage that emphasises cooperation in areas of agreement and mutual understanding in matters of difference.

This call for Islamic unity aims to foster intellectual and sect understanding, encourage open academic discussions, and support scholarly dialogues through all available means. It also underscores the importance of remaining vigilant against narratives that promote division, discord, and strife, viewing such rhetoric as a serious threat to the unity and cohesion of the Ummah.

The declaration highlights that the challenges and threats facing Muslims today, whether direct hostilities or attempts to sow discord, are shared challenges that require collective action to overcome.

The declaration further emphasises that its guiding principles are rooted in the Holy Qur'an, the sacred book of the Muslim Ummah, and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They are considered as the main elements that shape the Ummah's faith, vision, and historical mission, while also respecting the differences in interpretation and opinion.

Moreover, the declaration underscores the fundamental role of freedom as a divine trust and a core responsibility. It acknowledges that Allah the Almighty has granted humans freedom of thought and action, making them accountable for their choices.

The Qur'an explicitly upholds this freedom, as stated in the verse: "And say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills—let him believe; and whoever wills—let him disbelieve.'" (Surah Al Kahf, 29). This principle extends to the freedom of adopting doctrinal perspectives and religious interpretations.

The declaration also stresses the importance of mutual respect among Islamic scholars and their followers, noting that such respect is both a religious obligation and a universally agreed principle. It underscored thatall Muslims, regardless of their doctrinal affiliations, are integral parts of the same unified Ummah.

In this spirit, the declaration calls for an immediate and necessary cessation of any form of insult or derogatory remarks directed at religious figures of any school of thought. It also strongly condemns any form of discrimination or offense against a Muslim based on their doctrinal beliefs or opinions.

Furthermore, it cautions against the rhetoric of certain preachers and speakers who, due to a lack of awareness of the realities of the Ummah, propagate messages that incite hatred and deepen divisions. Such discourse, the declaration cautions, poses a significant threat to the fabric of the Islamic Ummah and its long-term unity and stability.

The call for Islamic brotherhood asserts that achieving its objectives, restoring the genuine spirit of a united Ummah, requires a renewed commitment to fundamental principles, governing values, and necessary actions. Among these key principles is the recognition that the unity of the Ummah is a sacred covenant and binding commitment.

The declaration further emphasises that promoting mutual understanding and cooperation to fulfill the essence of Islamic unity is an obligation upon all Muslims. It clarifies that the Islamic dialogue needed today is not a theological or doctrinal debate but rather a constructive discourse that embraces the many commonalities among Muslims and addresses shared challenges.

This dialogue must be conducted with utmost respect for ethical standards and decorum. Additionally, renewing Islamic discourse is deemed essential to counter division and isolate extremist voices across all schools of thought.

The declaration calls for enhanced collaboration among religious, academic, intellectual, and media institutions to confront the culture of hatred and division within the Muslim world. It also underscores the necessity of wisdom and courage in critically examining certain inherited perspectives, as Islamic intellectual heritage across all schools of thought contains jurisprudential misinterpretations that warrant reassessment.

The declaration highlights that fostering mutual understanding among scholars and intellectuals is key to shaping public opinion in a manner that supports unity. It urges leading Islamic institutions to undertake a comprehensive scholarly initiative aimed at identifying areas of agreement across different schools of thought in matters of faith, jurisprudence, and values.

Such an initiative carries out an important role in enhancing the Ummah’s self-awareness, rectifying misconceptions, enriching shared Islamic culture, and strengthening the global Islamic message.

Furthermore, the declaration underscores the urgent need to safeguard the integrity of Islamic teachings from political disputes and pressures. It warns against the misuse of religious principles for narrow partisan gains.

In this context, it underscores the vital responsibility of the press and media, particularly digital and social media platforms, in avoiding divisive rhetoric and preventing the spread of narratives that fuel conflict among Muslims.

ZH