Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, has emphasized the importance of transforming religious dialogue into a meaningful tool for building bridges between communities and cultures rather than repeating familiar discussions that fail to deliver lasting impact.
Speaking at the opening of a high-level Expert Group meeting at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Al-Issa outlined the organization’s vision for promoting coexistence, mutual understanding, and constructive engagement among different societies.
Two Strategic Tracks for Dialogue
Al-Issa explained that the Muslim World League’s dialogue efforts operate through two primary tracks.
The first focuses on strengthening understanding within the Islamic world among various schools of thought and traditions, leading to major initiatives such as the Makkah Charter and the Charter for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools and Sects.
These initiatives have received strong support from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which has encouraged their adoption across educational, cultural, and religious institutions throughout the Islamic world.
The second track focuses on dialogue between the Islamic world and other cultures and civilizations through international initiatives aimed at fostering understanding and countering extremism.
Promoting Preventive Peace
Al-Issa also highlighted the concept of “preventive peace,” which seeks to address tensions and civilizational misunderstandings before they escalate into broader conflicts.
He emphasized that the Muslim World League has spent more than a decade promoting this approach through various international programs and initiatives designed to strengthen cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
The discussion also examined factors that contribute to successful dialogue as well as common reasons why some initiatives fail to achieve their intended outcomes.
Praising Muslim Communities in the UK
During his visit, Al-Issa met with Islamic religious leaders and business figures from across the United Kingdom to discuss issues affecting Muslim communities and ways to strengthen social cohesion.
He praised British Muslims for their role in promoting coexistence and responsible citizenship, describing their contributions as a reflection of the values of Islamic civilization and positive community engagement.
Participants commended the Muslim World League’s global efforts to combat extremist ideologies, promote moderation, and strengthen understanding of Islam, noting that its initiatives continue to earn increasing international respect and recognition.
