During his speech at the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Manama, Egypt’s Grand Mufti, President of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayyad, called for the establishment of an independent global association to promote rapprochement among Islamic sects. He stressed that intra-Muslim dialogue is not an intellectual luxury but a religious necessity essential for unity.

He highlighted the Charter of Medina, established by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as an early model of just citizenship, emphasizing that the absence of this concept fuels sectarian extremism and fractures societies. He also underscored the need to correct misconceptions about Al-Wala’ wal-Bara’, explaining that its true essence is rooted in love for God and His Messenger. However, it has been dangerously misinterpreted by some groups to justify excommunicating others, contradicting the principles of unity and compassion in Islam.

The Grand Mufti outlined several key recommendations to strengthen Islamic unity:

1.         Establishing an independent global association to promote sectarian rapprochement and reinforce the values of just citizenship.

2.         Enhancing joint humanitarian efforts in relief work, education, and poverty alleviation.

3.         Leveraging media and the arts to cultivate a culture of tolerance and coexistence.

4.         Integrating principles of moderation and mutual respect into educational curricula.

He concluded by emphasizing the urgent need for solidarity and the rejection of hate speech, expressing gratitude to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and the conference organizers. The event brought together over 400 prominent religious and intellectual figures from around the world, underscoring its significance in advancing inter-Islamic dialogue and cooperation.