Al-Amine: National Identity Requires Equality among all Citizens Regardless of Religious, Intellectual Backgrounds

His Eminence Al Sayyid Ali Al-Amine, member of the Muslim Council of Elders has emphasized that national identity requires equality among all those who belong to the nation, regardless of their religious, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

During a seminar organized by the Muslim Council of Elders titled, ‘Identity and Citizenship as a Human Vision’ Al-Amine added, “Differences are a divine decree as mentioned in the Holy Quran: "And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ except whom your Lord has given mercy. And for that He created them."

He also pointed out that building societies and nations relies on the commonalities shared by all components within the society and the nation, which become the basis for the rights of individuals and groups while adding that in Islam, neither the Quran nor the Sunnah contradicts the adoption of citizenship as a principle in governance, administration, and the fair distribution of rights and duties among citizens, regardless of their religious and cultural identities and that this aligns with the principles of justice and fairness.

The member of the Muslim Council of Elders also clarified that if citizenship is applied to all citizens without discrimination, it means that everyone acquires national identity, which necessitates equality in all rights. This, he pointed, is clearly evident within the Medina Charter, which was established by the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) with various societal components at the beginning of the new era as a constructive step towards state establishment.