International Islamic Conference

In an earlier post, I talked about how scholars of Islam have the central role in steering the Muslim nation from the doldrums that it finds itself in, and that they have largely been unsuccessful in preparing for or responding to the challenges presented by the modern world, as a result of which many a Muslim has gone over 'to the dark side' so to speak.

It appears that an international conference titled "True Islam and its Role in Modern Society" addressing this very question is under way in Amman, Jordan, attended by around 170 intellectuals and scholars from around the Islamic world. Some parts of the inaugural speech given by Jordan's King Abdullah II - he appears to share my sentiments about the pivotal role of the scholars:

'As a start, let us confess that we, Muslims, have not always fulfilled our obligations towards ourselves. Some Muslims, or those who promulgate "Islamic" slogans, have defamed Islam and Muslims, and harmed Muslims, intentionally and non-intentionally. The divisions between the children of the Ummah, acts of violence and terrorism practiced by some groups and organizations, what is going on in Iraq, Pakistan and other Muslim countries in the form of accusations of apostasy and the killing of Muslims in the name of Islam, do not correspond to the principles and spirit of Islam, and Islam disavows them.'
...
'[W]e called for convening this conference in which representatives of the eight Muslim schools of thought (Madhahib) congregate from different countries to discuss the many issues and challenges to the Ummah and to specify fundamental basic solutions to overcome them.

The first, and most important of these challenges, is unifying the position of the adherents to the eight Islamic schools of thought: the four Sunni schools, the Ja'fari Shi'i School, the Ibadi school, the Zaydi school and the Thahiri school. We can begin by acknowledging that, in the practice of their faith, the adherents to each of these eight schools of jurisprudence are practicing true Islam, and that declaring any one of them an apostate is unacceptable. Disagreement among scholars (ulama) is a blessing. Let us follow the example of Imam al-Shafi'i's saying: our school of thought is right, but might be wrong, and other schools of thought are wrong, but might be right.'
...
'Acknowledgement of the schools of jurisprudence within Islam would permit the emergence of fundamental methodology in the issuance of fatwas, and the definition of who is qualified for the undertaking. This, with God's will, would end the practice of defaming others as apostates and close the door on ignorant people who practice killing and terrorism - of which Islam is innocent - in the name of Islam.

Honorable scholars, you meet today with some many issues and challenges facing the Ummah on your agenda. You are, with God's guidance, qualified to deal with these issues and challenges, and to define Islam's position on each one of them. Primary among our obligations as Muslims to present to the world the true essence of Islam - the religion of moderation, forgiveness, mercy and rational, scientific dialogue. Islam is not the religion of violence and terrorism, or prejudice and isolation. God Almighty says: "Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! Thy lord is best aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is best aware of those who go aright" (al-Nahl:125).'
...
'Distinguished scholars, I am confident that you are aware of the challenges facing Muslims today, and of the malicious attack on Islam, through slander and misrepresentation, due to some Muslims' lack of understanding of the essence of their religion, and the ignorance of many non-Muslims of the nature of and noble values of our religion. From this arises the importance of your role, and the responsibility you shoulder in unifying the Islamic Ummah with all its schools of jurisprudence and presenting the truth about our faith and its great message.

May God, the Almighty and Sublime grant all of us success in serving our religion and our Ummah, and unifying the Islamic nation.'

(Source: Petra - Jordan News Agency)