On this blessed day, firstly, Allah Almighty says, "O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous." On this blessed Saturday, the 25th of Muharram 1445H, corresponding to 12/8/2023 AD, the Board of Trustees of the World Union of Muslim Scholars convened at the Global Association for the Solidarity of Muslim Scholars "UMAD" in Istanbul. At the beginning of this meeting, the Board recalled the efforts made by its esteemed founder Imam Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, may God have mercy on him, praying that the Almighty accepts him in the highest heavens and rewards him for establishing this global academic institution.
The Council also addressed His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for hosting an extended delegation of the Ummah's scholars, expressing deep gratitude and appreciation to the noble president in this generous country. The meeting with the scholars' delegation was productive and positive. The president listened to his scholarly brothers, who congratulated him on being re-elected by the brotherly Turkish people. It was a warm, special, and blessed gathering between the scholars and the president of this free, generous, and hospitable Muslim nation.
The Council also thanked the officials of the "UMAD" association, especially the head of the association, Dr. Abdulwahab Akinji, for hosting the meeting and providing the necessary facilities to ensure its success.
On another note, the decisions of the Board of Trustees in this seventh meeting of this session were as follows:
Firstly: This meeting, being the seventh of this session, decided that the electoral regulation, which was approved in a previous meeting and is largely inspired by the constitution of the Union, will be the basis for electing a new president for the Union, as well as the vice-presidents and members of the Board of Trustees.
Secondly: The presidency and the general secretariat aim to liaise with the brothers in Qatar to hold the general assembly meeting in December of this year, and arrangements for this will be made, God willing.
Thirdly: Some experts have been tasked to ensure that the elections are electronic, utilizing the latest digital methods. This will be clarified to everyone in due course, God willing.
Fourthly: The election for leadership positions within the union will be conducted according to the established criteria outlined in the approved regulations of the electoral system.
Fifthly: Following the completion of the electoral procedures, the union has decided to hold a scientific symposium about the efforts of the esteemed Sheikh Al-Qaradawi, the founder, as well as addressing the issue of Jerusalem, its surrounding dangers, and additionally, a conference will be held about familial cohesion in combating family disintegration. The Family Committee has been tasked with preparing for the conference.
Furthermore, the union will, God willing, organize a conference about atheism as a phenomenon, its causes, and remedies. The Islamic Thought and Principles Committee has been assigned to prepare the project for the conference.
In conclusion, the International Union of Muslim Scholars emphasizes the following:
The nation must unite against the Zionist aggressive assault on the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque, as this occupation persists in shedding blood, desecrating sanctities, demolishing homes with their inhabitants, expanding illegal settlements, and allowing settlers to spill Palestinian blood. The union calls upon the Arab and Islamic nations to support those stationed at Al-Aqsa, to strengthen the residents of Jerusalem, and to back the strugglers in Palestine. This is an obligation upon the entire nation.
The union condemns in the strongest terms those who undermine the sanctities of the nation, especially those who disrespect our Lord's holy book and insult our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.
The union calls for the cessation of bloodshed in Sudan, the necessity to end rebellion against the state, and the return of the state to manage the country's affairs, protect its citizens, and attend to their needs.
The union calls for the release of political detainees, particularly scholars, thinkers, and opinion leaders. The union affirms that their detention harms the nation's interests, weakens its capacities, and silences its voices.
The union warns against the phenomenon of contradicting one's innate nature, a nature that Allah Almighty has created people upon. The spread of such contradiction threatens humanity, while Allah Almighty has made the preservation of human kind one of the five essentials upheld by our righteous religion.
The union regards the spread of atheism as a departure from this innate nature, as the Prophet, peace be upon him, said that every newborn is born upon this natural inclination, which is the inclination towards monotheism and belief in the One God, glory be to Him.
The union calls upon the scholars of the nation to fulfill the duty of propagation, advice, and guidance to the responsible authorities in order to preserve the constants of Islam and uphold its values and ethics.
The union calls for the lifting of oppression from oppressed peoples, including the Muslim population in Rohingya and East Turkestan. The union seeks to enable these peoples to exercise their right to worship and live with dignity. The union also appeals for care to be provided to the Syrian and Yemeni peoples, ensuring their essential needs are met, and the cessation of any actions that contradict the principles of our righteous religion.
In conclusion, the union expresses deep gratitude to its president, deputies, the Secretary-General, the members of the General Secretariat, the Board of Trustees, the working committees, and the branches. They are thanked wholeheartedly for the achievements made in the previous period, praying to Allah Almighty that the General Assembly convenes as planned and that capable leadership is chosen to continue the desired role in serving the religion of Allah Almighty, explaining His rulings, and safeguarding the nation's generations, capabilities, and sanctities to the best of their abilities.
May success come through Allah, the Guide to the Straight Path.