H.E. led the Muslim World League delegation on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of the Maldivian President
His Excellency the President of the Maldives, confers on Dr. Al-Issa the Republic Medal of Honor.
Addressing His Excellency, the President and members of the government, Dr. Al-Issa delivers a lecture on “Counter Radicalization and Counter Cyber and Intellectual Terrorism”
Dr. Al-Issa met with the defense and foreign officials who briefed him on the tasks of the National Center for Combating Extremism.
Addressing Vice President, the Secretary General delivers a lecture on imams, muftis and university employees.
Islamic moderation looks at all angles and takes into account the balance between good and harm.
Dr. Al-Issa emphasized the importance of the proper understanding of the Sharia texts to distinguish moderation from extremism: our criterion, is what the Messenger and his honorable companions have applied to realize the purposes of Sharia.
His Excellency, warns about the peril of denying controversial issues: These may lead extremist ideas to develop into violent and terrorist organizations.
Malé, (Maldives)
At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Maldives, a Muslim World League delegation led by His Excellency the Secretary General Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa visited the Republic of Maldives. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed in the capital, "Malé", by His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, and a several senior officials.
At the end of the official reception ceremony at the capital’s airport, His Excellency Dr. Al-Issa and his accompanying delegation moved to the Presidential Palace. There, he was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Maldives, Mr. Ibrahim Solih, where the two sides discussed several issues of common interest, and announced the opening of a regional MWL office in the Maldives at the request of His Excellency the President of the Republic, to be a starting point for serving the region.
In a scene depicting Maldivian ceremony traditions, held in the presence of senior officials, including ministers and parliamentarians, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Maldives awarded His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa the Republic Order of Honor, in appreciation of his efforts to promote Islamic unity, harmony and peace around the world.
The ceremony was opened by a presidential statement that said that the honor comes in appreciation of the distinguished efforts made by His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League in promoting Islamic unity, harmony and peace around the world, and advancing partnerships between the Maldives and the Muslim World League. In this regard, and pursuant to the powers invested in me in the constitution of the Republic of Maldives, “I affix my seal to bestow upon His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, the highest honor in the Republic”.
His Excellency extended congratulations on his behalf and on behalf of the government and people of the Maldives to His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa for receiving the Medal of Honor, which represents an extension of the ancient legacy left by Sultan Ibrahim, who ruled the Maldives from 1585 to 1609.
Following the ceremony, His Excellency the Secretary General Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa delivered an expert lecture on “Counter Radicalization and Counter Cyber and Intellectual Terrorism”. The lecture witnessed a high-level attendance, starting with His Excellency the President of the Republic, His Excellency the Vice President, ministers, members of the Parliamentary Committee for National Security, officials of national defense, the police force, and several senior officials, researchers and others interested in the subject.
His Excellency Dr. Al-Issa also met with the leaders of the Ministry of Defense in the Republic of the Maldives, led by Her excellency minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, where the two sides discussed mechanisms of joint action in combating extremism. Where Dr. Al-Issa got acquainted with the National Counter Terrorism Center’s activities. Later, His Excellency, the Secretary General held an extended meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, led by His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Khaleel. Followed by a joint press conference that addressed the most important themes of the visit, covered by the media and reported by official government communication platforms.
As part of the visit’s program, His Excellency Dr. Al-Issa met with His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Ahmed Zahir, they discussed several issues of joint interest during the meeting. His Excellency visited the Islamic Center in the capital, Malé as well, and was briefed on its most remarkable activities.
At the headquarters of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs Dr. Al-Issa delivered a lecture entitled: “Fighting Extremism and Hate Speech: How Can Youth Help Their Governments?”, attended by His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic, imams and muftis of the region, several political and academic officials, a group of young people, and university students. The lecture was shown on live TV through official television channels in the region, as well as broadcasted live on official government communication platforms. An open dialogue with young people on the most issues that occupy their minds at the Islamic and international levels.
In his talk, His Excellency highlighted the importance of the accurate understanding of the Sharia’s Islamic texts in order to distinguish moderation from extremism. He pointed out that the most important criterion in the proper understanding of the texts is to consider how the Messenger (PBUH), and his worthy companions paid attention to the texts; especially the four caliphs, the Messenger instructed us to follow. In the same context, he stated that Islamic moderation must be viewed from all angles and not from a single one, and should take into consideration the equilibrium between good and harm.
He added: "As for the second criterion, it should be in agreement with this understanding of the purposes of Islamic law. At the first place, is to have mercy with God’s servants, kindness to them, and reconciling their hearts." He further pointed out that the Sharia’s justice, wisdom and mercy to the servants is that God commanded Muslims to advise people, not to guide them.
Dr. Al-Issa warned of the danger of single fatwas. Thus, it is necessary to have a fatwa body comprising scholars and researchers. In this regard, he said to shun fatwas coming from abroad, due to their spatial circumstantial differences, in addition to their lack of knowledge of the conditions, customs and people in the intended country; since each country has its own unique situations.
His Excellency also warned of the danger of denying conflicting issues, since doing so may – in the long run – give rise to extremist ideas, which breed violent and terrorist organizations. Al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist groups are living examples to this.
His Excellency concluded the lecture by noting the lofty values of Islam were important means in its propagation and acceptance by people, in that, it is a religion that honors man, respects his freedom and his legitimate rights, within the context of religious diversity throughout human history. It has after all, guided humanity to deliverance from human and intellectual servitude.
He said, Islam sheds light on divine wisdom in the matter of difference and diversity among humans. Its Sharia calls for tolerance and coexistence with everyone, and even be fair and kind to them. These fundamentals constitute the noble meanings exemplified in the Medina Charter or the Constitution of Medina, that our Noble Prophet (PBUH), signed among the components of religious diversity in Medina society.
He said, out of this prophetic vision the "Makkah Charter" saw the light. More than one thousand and two hundred muftis and scholars, representing the broad-spectrum of Muslim Muftis around the world, and more than 4,500 Muslim intellectuals signed it. The principles postulated therein calls for human coexistence, warn against conflict and clash of civilization; specifically, among followers of religions and cultures.
