MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, TEHRAN – K.H. M. Saad Ibrahim, Chairman of Muhammadiyah for Tabligh, Community Da’wah, Islamic Boarding Schools, and Hajj-Umrah Guidance, recently participated in the 37th International Islamic Unity Conference, held at the International Conference Center in Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from October 1-3, 2023. This significant event aimed to promote unity and collaboration among Muslims from various backgrounds.
Saad Ibrahim represented an Indonesian Islamic organization alongside notable figures such as the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Nizar, and Ahmad Bahiej, Head of the International Law Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It’s worth noting that Muhammadiyah had previously participated in the 36th edition of the conference in 2022, with Syafiq A Mughni representing the organization then.
The presence of the Muhammadiyah delegation at the conference aligned with the mandate of the 47th Muhammadiyah Congress (Muktamar). The primary goal was to foster constructive dialogue between Sunni and Shia communities and enhance their mutual understanding of shared values and differences. Additionally, Muhammadiyah sought to raise awareness of the historical contributions of both Sunni and Shia communities to the development of Islamic civilization.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Syed Ebrahim Raisi, presided over the conference’s opening on Sunday, October 1. The conference brought together scholars from 41 countries and community leaders such as Friday imams, heads of cultural organizations, and women’s leaders from Iran. With a total of 110 participants, the conference focused on the urgent need to strengthen unity and solidarity among Muslims.
President Raisi underscored the significance of fostering unity among Muslims and encouraged scholars to collaborate on practical solutions to promote global harmony within the Muslim community. The conference also aimed to address challenges facing Muslims worldwide by proposing alternative solutions.
The Islamic Unity Week is commemorated annually, coinciding with the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, and spans from the 12th to the 17th of Rabi al-Awwal. This week-long event emphasizes vital issues such as advocating for just peace, nurturing Islamic brotherhood, combating terrorism, supporting religious freedom, embracing religious ijtihad, rejecting takfir and extremism, and fostering mutual respect among Islamic groups. It also stresses the significance of embracing diversity and avoiding conflicts within the Muslim community.
This year, the Secretariat of the Islamic Unity Conference received more than 200 articles from 20 Arabic-speaking nations, including countries like Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Iraq. Among these submissions, 15 were in English, four in Turkish, and the rest in other languages.
Saad Ibrahim was accompanied by the Muhammadiyah Special Branch (PCIM) of Iran during his visit to Iran. As a representative of Muhammadiyah, Saad Ibrahim is known for his visionary and open-minded approach, as well as his profound expertise in classical Islamic disciplines, particularly in the fields of Sirah (biography), Tarikh (history), and Hadharah (civilization). His participation at the conference exemplifies Muhammadiyah’s commitment to fostering unity and understanding among Muslims on a global scale.
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