“Fatwas and Their Role in Achieving Islamic Unity”.. Seminar at CIBF

The stand of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Cairo International Book Fair hosted its fifth cultural seminar, titled “Fatwas and Their Role in Achieving Islamic Unity,” with the participation of Prof. Dr. Nazir Ayyad, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, and Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research. 

The seminar was moderated by Dr. Mohamed Gamal, a researcher at the Office for the Revival of Islamic Heritage at Al-Azhar Headquarters.

At the beginning of the seminar, His Eminence Prof. Dr. Nazir Ayyad emphasized that the principles of Islamic legislation—such as fraternity, mercy, and harmony—play a significant role in fostering human fraternity and advancing civilizational leadership in societies. He explained that the philosophy of Islamic legislation, similar to other divine religions, is built on creed, jurisprudence, and ethical behavior, aiming to unite the nation through shared worship, goals, and timeframes. He further highlighted that this unity is the ultimate salvation and the central objective of Islamic law, as emphasized in the Prophetic statement: “A believer to another believer is like a building whose parts support one another.”

The Grand Mufti added that sound fatwas serve as an effective remedy and a safe fortress for society, emphasizing that the sustainability of nations and the preservation of communities can only be achieved through well-founded fatwas that uphold the principles and fundamentals of religion while taking into account contemporary realities and societal needs. He noted that fatwas foster the principle of human fraternity—both among Muslims and between Muslims and non-Muslims.

For his part, Dr. Samir Boudinar remarked that the Muslim world today suffers under the weight of divisions and conflicts that threaten the unity and social fabric of the Muslim nation. He underscored the pivotal role of sound fatwas in protecting the social fabric, promoting unity, and fostering cohesion within the Muslim nation. Throughout history, fatwas have addressed challenges and overcome obstacles facing the nation in every era, particularly those related to the unprecedented issues and needs of society.

Dr. Boudinar also stressed the importance of religious institutions working in harmony with other societal institutions and interdisciplinary sciences to safeguard the intellectual security of individuals and communities and to unify the Muslim nation, which is constantly threatened by division and discord. He highlighted the role of research centers in supporting the issuance of fatwas by contributing to the training of muftis and providing them with necessary interdisciplinary knowledge.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a dedicated stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, running from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide range of the Council’s featured publications and hosts various seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of goodness, love, peace, and coexistence among all humanity.