Prof. Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), praised the efforts of Indonesian Muslim scholars in adapting Sharia principles to address the modern challenges of society while prioritizing the common good (Mashalih ‘Ammah).
“Indonesia is home to thousands of qualified Sharia scholars who are well-equipped to tackle contemporary issues,” Prof. Sano stated during his keynote speech at the Grand Opening of the Sharia International Forum (SHARIF) 2024. The event, hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, took place on Wednesday evening, November 20th, at the Mercure Hotel and Convention Center in Ancol, North Jakarta.
Representing IIFA, Prof. Sano expressed deep appreciation for Indonesia’s initiative in establishing a forum that critically examines global challenges through the lens of Sharia.
“By acting as a platform for collective ijtihad involving multiple stakeholders, this forum underscores the importance of addressing pressing issues that affect both Muslims and humanity. It embodies the collective scholarly effort to align Sharia with public interest,” he remarked.
He further commended Indonesia’s role in fostering international dialogue on pivotal issues. “This initiative exemplifies Indonesia’s leadership in organizing multi-national discussions on vital matters. With its thousands of capable scholars, Indonesia is uniquely positioned to contribute significantly to the advancement of Islamic jurisprudence,” he concluded.
Prof. Sano also emphasized that the forum’s 2024 theme, “Sharia Service by Government Toward Mashalih ‘Ammah,” underscores the essence of Sharia as being fundamentally rooted in the pursuit of public interest. “Public interest is the cornerstone of Sharia. Without maslahah, there is no Sharia,” he asserted.
The grand opening of the forum featured a series of cultural and religious performances, starting with the Acehnese Ratoh Jaroe dance, performed by students from Islamic State Senior High School Al-Azhar Asy-Syarif (Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 23) in Jakarta. The dance, recognized by UNESCO as an element of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018, captivated the audience. An-Nabawy Music Group followed with soulful renditions of shalawat, and the event proceeded with a Quranic recitation by Ahmad Zahran Nasywa and an opening prayer led by Istiqlal National Mosque’s Imam, K.H. Hasanuddin Sinaga.
The forum welcomed delegations of Muslim scholars and representatives from religious institutions and councils across various countries, including Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Qatar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, and Australia.
The discussions at SHARIF 2024 are organized into three main themes:
1. Global Standard and Consensus: The MABIMS Criteria for the Hijri Calendar
2. Digital Assets and Investments in Islamic Law
3. Islamic Inheritance within the National Legal Framework
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