Muslim Council Of Elders Advocates For Intra-Islamic Dialogue At Baghdad Book Fair

The Muslim Council of Elders' pavilion at the Baghdad International Book Fair hosted its inaugural seminar, titled "The Role of Reciprocal Visits Between Al-Azhar Scholars and the Najaf Seminary in Promoting Intra-Islamic Dialogue." Dr. Ammar Aboudi Nassar, Professor of History and Islamic Thought at the College of Arts, University of Kufa, and Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research, led the discussion.

Dr. Samir Boudinar highlighted Iraq's rich history and civilisation, noting its role as a model of unity and cooperation. He explained that this collective spirit has significantly contributed to building a profound civilisation that has impacted the world and fostered Islamic growth. Dr. Boudinar stressed that under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders prioritises promoting intra-Islamic dialogue to usher in a new era of understanding among Islamic sects.

This initiative aligns with the Grand Imam's call during the Bahrain Dialogue Forum in 2022, which emphasised enhancing Islamic solidarity and unity. The call received widespread acclaim across various sectors within the Islamic nation. The Council is currently planning several initiatives and events, including an Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference to be hosted by Bahrain early next year.

Despite facing numerous challenges over time, including divisions and conflicts, Iraq remains a symbol of civilisation and human achievement. The Muslim Council of Elders chose to focus its first participation at the Baghdad International Book Fair on promoting intra-Islamic dialogue due to Iraq's enduring historical and cultural significance.

The Council aims to achieve this objective through a series of seminars and notable presentations under the theme "The Unity of the Nation and Intra-Islamic Dialogue." Various publications are also being distributed to foster dialogue and highlight the importance of unity among different components of the Islamic nation.

Dr. Boudinar further emphasised that religious fraternity is foundational to human fraternity. This belief underpins all efforts by the Muslim Council of Elders to promote understanding among Islamic sects. The upcoming Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference is expected to be a significant step towards achieving this goal.

The seminar presented by Dr. Ammar Aboudi Nassar and Dr. Samir Boudinar underscored the importance of reciprocal visits between Al-Azhar scholars and Najaf Seminary in fostering intra-Islamic dialogue. Such interactions are seen as crucial for building bridges between different Islamic traditions.

The Muslim Council of Elders continues to prepare various initiatives aimed at enhancing intra-Islamic dialogue. These efforts reflect a commitment to fostering unity within the Islamic nation despite historical challenges.

The focus on promoting intra-Islamic dialogue at events like the Baghdad International Book Fair demonstrates a dedication to fostering understanding and cooperation among different Islamic sects. This approach aims to build a more unified Islamic community through continuous dialogue and engagement.

With inputs from WAM