Takfeer (the practice of one Muslim declaring another Muslim an unbeliever or kafir) is one of the most dangerous phenomena that have permeated Muslim societies, senior academicians have asserted. Participating in a Saudi Press Agency group discussion ahead of an international conference on “Takfeer Phenomenon: Causes, Effects and Solution,” to be organized here next week, several university presidents said Takfeer has caused divisions in the Muslim society since the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The phenomenon has spread because upholders of Takfeer thought do not correctly understand the Qur'anic verses and Prophet's sayings in this regard, they said. Dr. Muhammad Bin Ali Al-Oqla, President of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University in Madina and a member of the Higher Supervision Committee of the gathering, said the conference will tackle the causes behind the spread of Takfeer and seek to suggest methods to deal with it. The conference will focus on the Prophet's sayings, study exploring Takfeer and its causes, and finding effective solutions to address the matter, said Dr. Osama Sadiq Tayeb, President of Jeddah's King Abdulaziz University. Dr. Mansour Bin Muhammad Al-Nuzha, President of Taiba University in Madina, said the meeting would attract a great deal of attention because it would take a careful and thorough look at a subject of great importance. “This international conference will discuss the real causes of extremism and its relation to Takfeer, an issue that has occupied the minds of all Muslims,” he said. “All eyes will be on this conference.” Dr. Al-Nuzha commended the efforts of the committee of the International Award of Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud for the Prophet's Sunnah and Contemporary Islamic Studies, and the efforts of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University to make the conference a success. The conference shows that the research and scientific establishments in the Kingdom are studying the issues that might hinder security and development in our country and other Muslim countries, said Dr. Muhammad Bin Ibrahim Al-Hassan, President of Najran University. Dr. Abdul Elah Banajah, President of Taif University, said: “The deviated Takfeer thought caused a lot of bloodshed, terrorist acts, destruction and demolition. All these are prohibited by the Shariah.” People need to be aware of the causes of this phenomenon,its effects on security and society, and its economic impact, he added. Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Al-Rashid, President of King Khaled University, and Dr. Saad Bin Muhammad Al-Huraiqi, President of Al-Baha University, agreed with the views expressed by other participants.
