MAKKAH — The global conference titled "Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" officially opened Sunday, under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. This significant event is orchestrated by the Muslim World League (MWL) with the aim to enhance understanding and unity among different Islamic schools of thought and sects. It seeks to directly confront the narratives, slogans, and behaviors within these groups that foster extremism. The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, who also serves as the president of the Council of Senior Scholars and the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta as well as the president of the MWL Supreme Council, delivered the opening speech. He underscored the critical importance of unity in Islam and cautioned against the potential harm caused by division and disagreement within the faith. Sheikh Al-Sheikh expressed his appreciation to King Salman for his patronage and dedicated efforts towards uniting Muslims and prioritizing their welfare. Further, MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, announced that the conference would result in a charter aimed at building bridges among Islamic sects. This charter will provide crucial guidelines and foster cooperation among different Islamic sects to collectively address challenges for the benefit of the Ummah. Sheikh Al-Issa also acknowledged the significant contributions of the Saudi government, led by King Salman and the Crown Prince, in serving Islam and its followers. The conference is set to feature discussions by prominent Islamic figures, including muftis and senior scholars from various sects, focusing on fostering cooperation across the Islamic community.
