Turkey: IUMS President Participates in International Forum for Strategic Discussions, Emphasizes Unity as a Religious Obligation and Division as a Threat to the Ummah
Sheikh Dr. Ali Mohyi Al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), participated in the International Forum for Strategic Discussions under the theme "Searching for Communication and Trust in the Islamic World". The event was held at Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University on November 21–22, 2024, in Gaziantep, southern Turkey.
Distinguished Attendance
The forum welcomed prominent figures, including Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, the city’s mayor, Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs head Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, IUMS Vice President Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez, and influential intellectuals such as Moroccan philosopher Taha Abdulrahman and East Youth Forum President Wadah Khanfar.
Prayers for Gaza and Resistance
Dr. Qaradaghi began his speech by thanking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish people, and the forum organizers for their hospitality and excellent planning.
He dedicated prayers to the people of Gaza and the oppressed in Palestine and Lebanon, asking for divine support against aggression. He hailed their resilience as an emblem of unwavering faith and determination.
Islamic Unity: A Religious and Societal Imperative
In his lecture, titled "The Future of Islamic Societies", Dr. Qaradaghi asserted that Islamic unity is not just an option but a religious obligation central to the faith.
He highlighted that divisions among Muslims result from deliberate schemes by Islam’s adversaries aiming to weaken the Ummah. He referenced Quranic verses underscoring the significance of unity and solidarity in overcoming challenges.
Pillars of Building a Unified Islamic Society
Dr. Qaradaghi outlined key foundations for constructing a cohesive Islamic society:
- Social organization rooted in faith and Sharia.
- Interpersonal relations grounded in love and loyalty.
- Social interaction guided by ethical values.
- Social regulation ensuring the Ummah’s cohesion.
He cited the Prophet Muhammad’s hadith: (The believers, in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy, are like one body; if one part of the body suffers, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever), emphasizing these values as the essence of a successful Islamic community.
Role of Spiritual Purification in Resilience
Dr. Qaradaghi stressed the significance of spiritual and moral purification in shaping individuals and societies. He referenced historical contributions by scholars like Imam Junayd Al-Baghdadi, Al-Ghazali, and Abdul Qadir Al-Jilani in fostering self-purification.
He attributed Gaza’s steadfastness in facing aggression to their spiritual nourishment from the Quran and their dedication to societal service.
Call for Collective Action
Concluding his speech, Dr. Qaradaghi urged collaborative efforts to overcome the Ummah’s challenges. He emphasized that building Islamic societies requires unity between religious and civil institutions, alongside a genuine commitment to Islamic values that foster love and solidarity.
A Platform for Dialogue and Unity
This forum highlighted the importance of dialogue among intellectual and religious leaders in the Islamic world, reaffirming that unity is not just an aspiration but an attainable goal through joint effort and sincere intent.
Source: International Union of Muslim Scholars