Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference

Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference Logo

The Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, held on February 19–20, 2025, in Manama, Bahrain, marked a significant step towards fostering unity and dialogue within the Islamic world. The event was hosted under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and was organized by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Bahrain, and the Muslim Council of Elders. The conference's theme, “One Nation, One Shared Destiny,” encapsulated its core objective of promoting Islamic unity and addressing shared challenges.

Context and Purpose

The conference was a response to a call by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, during the Bahrain Dialogue Forum in November 2022. This initiative aimed to move beyond rhetorical expressions of unity to actionable dialogue, focusing on bridging sectarian divides and fostering mutual respect among diverse Islamic communities. By bringing together scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals, and thinkers from across the globe, the conference sought to establish a platform for continuous engagement and collaboration.

Key Highlights

• Date and Location: February 19–20, 2025, in Manama, Bahrain.
• Organizers: Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Bahrain, and the Muslim Council of Elders.
• Theme: “One Nation, One Shared Destiny”.
• Objective: To promote Islamic unity, address shared challenges, and establish a permanent mechanism for scholarly dialogue .

Key Participants

Prominent Figures

Hujatul Islam Shariyari in the Intra-Islamic Conference

The Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Bahrain brought together over 400 scholars, religious leaders, and intellectuals from across the Muslim world, representing diverse Islamic traditions. The event featured speeches and contributions from several high-profile figures:

• Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb: The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, who played a leading role in the conference’s discussions and delivered the final statement emphasizing unity and cooperation (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025).
• Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayyad: Egypt’s Grand Mufti and President of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, who participated in the main session and delivered a speech during the second academic session (Dar Al-Ifta, 2025).
• Anwar Ibrahim: The Prime Minister of Malaysia, who was the only head of government to deliver a keynote address. His speech highlighted Malaysia’s global role in fostering Islamic unity and dialogue (Malay Mail, 2025).
• Hujatul Islam Hamid Shariyari, General secretary of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.

Iranian Participants

Ayatollah Sheikh Ahmed Moballeghi in the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference

Iran was also represented at the conference by prominent scholars and intellectuals. Their participation underscored the event's inclusivity and its aim to bridge divides among various Islamic schools of thought. Iranian scholars contributed to discussions on sectarian reconciliation, mutual respect, and practical collaboration to address shared challenges such as extremism and poverty (WAM, 2025; Bernama, 2025) .

Attendees

The conference attracted a wide array of participants from different regions:

• Religious leaders from Sunni and Shia traditions.
• Intellectuals and academics specializing in Islamic studies.
• Representatives from Islamic institutions worldwide.

This diverse representation reinforced the conference's mission to foster dialogue across sectarian lines and build a unified platform for addressing global challenges.

Objectives

Promoting Islamic Unity and Solidarity

The primary objective of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference was to foster unity among Muslims by addressing sectarian divides and emphasizing shared values. The conference sought to move beyond theological debates, focusing instead on practical engagement to tackle contemporary challenges collectively. This approach aimed to strengthen the bonds of fraternity across diverse Islamic traditions and promote mutual understanding (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) WAM. (2025). Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference kicks off in Manama..

Establishing a Permanent Mechanism for Dialogue

A key goal of the conference was to create a structured and sustainable platform for ongoing dialogue among Islamic scholars and leaders. This included the proposal to establish an Islamic Dialogue Association under the Muslim Council of Elders, which would facilitate open communication and collaboration across all components of the Islamic nation without exclusion. This initiative was inspired by the prophetic tradition that defines the Muslim community as a unified entity (Bernama, 2025).

Addressing Global Challenges

The conference also aimed to address pressing global issues affecting the Muslim world, such as:

• Combating poverty and extremism.
• Supporting Palestine and resisting occupation.
• Countering hate speech and fostering coexistence.

By uniting Muslims around these shared challenges, the conference sought to reduce sectarian tensions and advance Islamic solidarity on a global scale (Bernama, 2025; Malay Mail, 2025) .

Spotlighting Successful Models of Coexistence

Another significant objective was to highlight examples of successful coexistence within Muslim societies. By showcasing these models, participants aimed to inspire broader adoption of practices that reinforce justice, equality, and mutual respect among diverse communities (WAM, 2025).

Conference Themes

Unity and Shared Values

The Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference emphasized the importance of unity within the Muslim world, focusing on shared values and principles that transcend sectarian differences. The theme, “One Nation, One Shared Destiny,” highlighted the collective identity of Muslims and their shared responsibility to address global challenges. Participants were encouraged to prioritize mutual understanding and collaboration over theological debates, fostering a sense of fraternity and solidarity (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025).

Bridging Sectarian Divides

A central theme of the conference was the need to bridge sectarian divides among Islamic schools of thought. Discussions centered on practical engagement and dialogue that embraces commonalities while respecting differences. The proposal to establish an Islamic Dialogue Association under the Muslim Council of Elders was a key initiative aimed at creating a permanent platform for open communication among all components of the Islamic nation (Bernama, 2025).

Renewal of Islamic Thought

The conference also addressed the renewal of Islamic thought to meet contemporary challenges. Scholars and intellectuals discussed ways to reinterpret Islamic teachings in light of modern issues such as extremism, poverty, and occupation. This renewal aimed to strengthen the role of Islam as a unifying force capable of addressing global problems while maintaining its core values (WAM, 2025).

Practical Collaboration on Global Challenges

Participants highlighted the need for practical collaboration on pressing issues affecting the Muslim world. Topics included:

• Combating poverty and extremism.
• Supporting Palestine and resisting occupation.
• Countering hate speech and promoting coexistence.

By focusing on these shared challenges, the conference sought to reduce sectarian tensions and foster collective action under the broader framework of Islamic solidarity (Bernama, 2025).

Launch of Nida’ Ahl Al Qibla Declaration

The event also introduced the Nida’ Ahl Al Qibla (Call of the Qibla People) declaration. This initiative promotes a unified religious discourse under the theme “One Nation, One Shared Destiny” and aims to align Muslims worldwide toward common goals (Bernama, 2025).

Key Discussions

Importance of Dialogue

The Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference emphasized the critical role of dialogue in fostering unity within the Muslim world. Participants highlighted that the focus should shift from theological debates to practical engagement, leveraging shared principles to address contemporary challenges. This approach aimed to reduce sectarian tensions and promote collaboration among diverse Islamic schools of thought (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) ..

Role of Leadership

Prominent leaders and scholars underscored the importance of religious and intellectual leadership in aligning perspectives on critical issues. The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, delivered the final statement, stressing that Islamic unity is a collective responsibility requiring mutual understanding and cooperation. Leaders from different traditions called for actionable steps to foster fraternity and solidarity (Bernama, 2025)..

Focus on Actionable Outcomes

The conference produced several actionable recommendations:

• Establishment of an Islamic Dialogue Association under the Muslim Council of Elders to serve as a permanent platform for communication and collaboration among all Islamic groups.
• Launch of the Nida’ Ahl Al Qibla (Call of the Qibla People) declaration, promoting a unified religious discourse under the theme “One Nation, One Shared Destiny”.
• Commitment to addressing global challenges such as poverty, extremism, and occupation through collective efforts (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) .

Addressing Shared Challenges

Discussions focused on pressing issues affecting the Muslim world:

• Support for Palestine: The conference reaffirmed unwavering support for Palestine and called for concerted efforts to resist occupation and uphold justice.
• Combating Extremism: Participants emphasized the need for joint strategies to counter extremism and hate speech.
• Poverty Alleviation: Scholars advocated for collaborative initiatives to address economic disparities within Muslim communities (Bernama, 2025) .

Building Sustainable Frameworks

The conference concluded with a commitment to institutionalize dialogue mechanisms. The General Secretariat of the Muslim Council of Elders announced plans to oversee the implementation of resolutions in coordination with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. Preparations for a second Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Cairo were also initiated, reflecting a long-term vision for fostering unity (Bernama, 2025) .

Outcomes

Final Statement Highlights

The Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference concluded with a strong call for unity, emphasizing that Islamic solidarity is a shared responsibility. The final statement, delivered by Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, stressed the importance of mutual understanding and practical engagement over theological disputes. Participants were urged to embrace shared values and work collectively to address contemporary challenges affecting the Muslim world (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) . Key points from the final statement included:

• A reaffirmation of unwavering support for Palestine, calling for concerted efforts to resist occupation and uphold justice.
• A commitment to combating poverty and extremism through collaborative efforts.
• A focus on reducing sectarian tensions by fostering Islamic fraternity under the broader framework of solidarity (Bernama, 2025).

Establishment of the Islamic Dialogue Association

One of the conference's major outcomes was the proposal to establish an Islamic Dialogue Association under the Muslim Council of Elders. This initiative aims to serve as a permanent platform for open communication among all components of the Islamic nation without exclusion. Inspired by prophetic traditions that define Muslims as a unified entity, this association seeks to institutionalize dialogue and collaboration across diverse Islamic schools of thought (Bernama, 2025).

Launch of the Nida’ Ahl Al Qibla Declaration

The conference also introduced the Nida’ Ahl Al Qibla (Call of the Qibla People) declaration. This initiative promotes a unified religious discourse under the theme “One Nation, One Shared Destiny” and encourages Muslims to align their efforts toward shared goals. It reflects a vision for strengthening Islamic unity while addressing global challenges (Bernama, 2025).

Preparations for Future Conferences

The General Secretariat of the Muslim Council of Elders announced its commitment to overseeing the implementation of the conference’s resolutions. In coordination with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, preparations for a second Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Cairo have already begun. This reflects a long-term vision for institutionalizing dialogue and fostering sustained unity within the Muslim world (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) .

Addressing Global Challenges

Participants highlighted that collaboration on pressing global issues naturally reduces sectarian tensions. Key areas of focus included:

• Supporting Palestine and resisting occupation.
• Combating poverty and economic disparities within Muslim communities.
• Countering extremism and hate speech through unified strategies (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) .

Significance

Reinforcement of Bahrain’s Role in Islamic Unity

The Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference underscored Bahrain’s pivotal role in promoting Islamic unity and addressing global challenges. Under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain demonstrated its commitment to Arab and Islamic causes by hosting this landmark event. The conference also highlighted Bahrain’s dedication to fostering dialogue and collaboration among Islamic scholars and leaders, reinforcing its position as a hub for interfaith and intra-faith discussions (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) .

Promotion of Global Peace Through Dialogue

The conference served as a platform to advance peace and coexistence by addressing sectarian divides and uniting Muslims around shared values. By emphasizing practical engagement over theological disputes, the event showcased how dialogue can be a powerful tool for resolving conflicts, combating extremism, and promoting social harmony. This initiative aligns with the broader efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders to foster peace globally (Bernama, 2025; Malay Mail, 2025) .

Long-Term Vision for Unity

The outcomes of the conference reflect a long-term vision for fostering sustained Islamic unity. Key initiatives such as the establishment of the Islamic Dialogue Association and the launch of the Nida’ Ahl Al Qibla declaration aim to institutionalize dialogue and collaboration across diverse Islamic schools of thought. These efforts are expected to pave the way for future generations to uphold values of fraternity, mutual respect, and collective action against shared challenges (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) .

Addressing Contemporary Challenges

The conference’s focus on addressing pressing global issues such as poverty, extremism, and occupation demonstrated its relevance in today’s world. By uniting Muslims around these shared challenges, the event highlighted how collaboration can naturally reduce sectarian tensions while advancing collective goals under the framework of Islamic solidarity (Bernama, 2025).

Conclusion

Summary of Achievements

The Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, held on February 19–20, 2025, in Bahrain, successfully brought together over 400 scholars, religious leaders, and intellectuals from diverse Islamic traditions to advance unity and collaboration. The conference emphasized actionable dialogue over theological debates, focusing on shared values and practical engagement to address global challenges. Key achievements included the proposal to establish an Islamic Dialogue Association and the launch of the Nida’ Ahl Al Qibla declaration, both of which aim to institutionalize dialogue and foster Islamic solidarity (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) .

Strengthened Solidarity

The conference reaffirmed its commitment to addressing pressing issues such as poverty, extremism, and support for Palestine. By fostering collaboration among Muslims from diverse backgrounds, it demonstrated that shared challenges could be tackled more effectively when sectarian tensions are minimized. This approach reinforced the broader framework of Islamic fraternity and solidarity (Bernama, 2025; Malay Mail, 2025) .

Future Outlook

The General Secretariat of the Muslim Council of Elders announced plans to oversee the implementation of the conference’s resolutions in coordination with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. Preparations for a second Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Cairo are already underway, reflecting a long-term vision for sustained engagement and unity within the Muslim world. These initiatives highlight a commitment to building platforms for future generations to uphold the values of fraternity and mutual respect (Bernama, 2025; WAM, 2025) .