Saudi GazetteFOCUS OF FORUM Sessions during the three-day assembly of prominent Islamic scholars spread into at least four themes: Current situation and problems including how enemies exploit disunity and sectarian conflicts to their benefit; social and economic situations; extraneous influences on Muslim society. Rights and obligations of the rulers as well as those of the peoples. Solutions, in which the role of Islamic model in reforming society will be discussed as also how Islamic platform could prevent sedition. This section will also consider the concerted efforts of scholars, religious, cultural and media institutions in reforming societies. Dialogue among Muslim societies – concept, fundamentals and methods of dialogue in Islam; addressing social and political problems through dialogue; dialogue and the unity of the Muslim Ummah.Ulema from 25 countries to take part Crucial time for the UmmahMAKKAH – At least 300 delegates from nearly 25 countries will converge on Makkah from July 23-25 to discuss a host of issues staring in the face of the Muslim Ummah today. Speaking at a press conference here on the eve of the three-day world meet, Dr. Abdullah Mohsen Al-Turki, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, under the auspice of which the event is going to be organized, said Tuesday: “The Ummah is currently facing many-sided challenges including political turbulence in some of the Islamic countries. All this seriously warrants of a crucial but sincere examination of the whole situation underlining the reasons and their effective solutions. “The Rabita Alam Al-Islami (Muslim World League) has completed all formalities and preparations and is ready to host the international conference under the benevolent patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.” Citing turbulent events turning up in countries like Libya, Syria and Yemen, Dr. Turki said the conference will discuss the rising new challenges, Muslim unity, root causes of the problems and how best these issues can be tackled in light of Islamic or Shariah parameters. This Makkah conference has full support of King Abdullah as well as of Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister for Information and Culture, Dr. Turki announced. The conference will see a number of renowned religious scholars from all over the world, for they are the best placed to suggest a way out of the current morass and provide guidance, Dr. Turki said. Dr. Turki emphasized on the vital role that scholars can play in creating awareness and providing guidance in the light of Shariah and thus influence the general attitudes which may ultimately serve the Muslim interest and protect the Ummah from differences. The League's Secretary General also stressed on the importance of Muslim organizations, which he said can be good communication channels among Muslims and can contribute to stability in the Muslim society and its security. Later, Dr. Hassan Al-Ahdal, Director General of the League's Media and Culture Department, told Saudi Gazette, “Crisis will come and go, but the values of remaining united and standing solid rock in the face of such crises are of perennial importance, which will be of utmost benefit for us in this life and beyond, Insha'Allah.” Dr. Ahdal, who is also the Editor-in-chief of the Muslim World League's Journal, said, “The important thing (for the conference) will be to provide a map of clear guidelines to the Ummah in this hour of crisis so they remain united and seek solutions to their problems within the strict parameters of Islamic principles.” “Ulema have had their historic role through times and terrain. They have often come to the rescue of the Ummah whenever it slipped from the straight path laid out by our Prophet (peace be upon him), or face an alien onslaught to their dignity or faith. “Given the ongoing spate of crises in the Muslim world, it is evident that their job is far from over and they will perhaps be required in the future to be ready for a greater role to play. This is the demand of times; this is the demand of the Ummah,” he said. __
