Muslim Council Of Elders Hosts Intra-Islamic Dialogue Seminar At Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The Muslim Council of Elders hosted a seminar titled "Intra-Islamic Dialogue: One Nation and One Shared Destiny" at the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. His Eminence Dr. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Haddad, a member of the council and Senior Mufti in Dubai, led the discussion. The event was part of the council's cultural and intellectual initiatives.

Dr. Al-Haddad highlighted that unity within the Muslim Ummah is crucial for peace and stability. He warned that division leads to destruction and strife. He noted that this unity is a divine command in the Quran, where believers are urged to hold firmly to Allah's rope and avoid division, as stated in verse 3:103.

Since its inception, the Muslim Council of Elders has focused on fostering dialogue among different religions and cultures. A significant achievement was the signing of the "Document on Human Fraternity" in Abu Dhabi in 2019. This document marked a milestone in promoting peace and understanding across religious divides.

Dr. Al-Haddad explained that after successfully building interfaith bridges, there is now an urgent need to address intra-Islamic dialogue. Sectarian differences have weakened the Ummah, leading to fragmentation. He stressed that achieving internal unity is both a religious duty and a collective responsibility for Muslims worldwide.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair showcases over 250 diverse publications from Al-Hokama Publishing. These works cover key intellectual and cultural issues aligned with the council’s mission to promote peace, dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence among humans.

Dr. Al-Haddad reiterated that division opens doors to intellectual invasion and strife. The council aims to counter these challenges by encouraging dialogue within Islam itself. This approach seeks to strengthen bonds among Muslims by addressing sectarian divisions directly.

The seminar underscored the importance of unity as outlined by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet advocated for holding fast to Allah’s teachings as a means to prevent division within the community. This message remains central to maintaining harmony among Muslims today.

The council continues its efforts to bridge gaps between different Islamic sects through dialogue initiatives like this seminar. By focusing on shared values and common goals, it hopes to foster greater understanding and cooperation within the Muslim world.

With inputs from WAM