The opening session was chaired by H.E. Sheikh Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Humaid, Advisor at the Royal Court, President of the Academy, Member of the Council of Senior Scholars, and Imam and Khatib of the Grand Mosque. It was attended by H.E. Prof. Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, as well as the seminar’s guest of honour, H.E. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, in addition to a distinguished group of senior scholars, researchers, specialists, and religious leaders.

In his opening address, H.E. Sheikh Dr. Salih bin Humaid emphasised that Islamic law has established human life upon the principle of justice, linked the well-being of societies to the soundness of the family, and made the preservation of human dignity, rights, and welfare among the foremost objectives of the Sharia.

He explained that addressing violence against women is a shared responsibility that requires the integration of the efforts of families, educational institutions, religious leaders, and legal and social bodies in order to prevent violence and address its causes and consequences.

He concluded by stressing the importance of a balanced scholarly discourse that upholds the constants of Islamic law while rejecting the incorrect social practices that are falsely attributed to it, thereby contributing to the protection of women and the preservation of family stability.

For his part, H.E. Prof. Dr. Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, stated that protecting women from violence in Islam is not a response to temporary cultural pressures nor a concession to imported slogans. Rather, it is a fulfillment of the principles of the Islamic faith, adherence to the definitive teachings of Sharia, and realization of its objectives in preserving life, honor, and human dignity.

He noted that discussing violence against women is not solely a discussion about women; rather, it is a discussion about the individual, the family, and society as a whole. A woman is a mother, daughter, wife, and sister, as well as a partner in building families, raising future generations, and contributing to the development of society.

He further explained that the effects of violence do not end with physical harm, psychological suffering, or an assault on dignity. Rather, they extend to destabilizing families, disrupting the upbringing of children, undermining social cohesion, and weakening societal security and stability.

During the opening session, the seminar’s guest of honour, H.E. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, emphasised the important role of scholars in refuting the accusations directed at Islam concerning women’s issues, stressing the need to employ effective and appropriate methods of communication that go beyond general responses.

He also called upon fiqh academies and scholarly institutions to collaborate in producing a comprehensive scholarly encyclopedia, translated into major world languages, addressing the various issues and questions related to women. He noted that many of the allegations falsely attributed to Islam regarding women stem either from ignorance, personal bias, or ulterior motives.

Furthermore, he encouraged the promotion of family awareness through the provision of training programs for individuals preparing for marriage. He concluded his remarks by stating:

“There is neither legitimacy nor immunity for any act of violence that violates a woman’s dignity, whether physical or moral. Likewise, there is no greater wrongdoing than justifying such violence in the name of religion or falsely attributing it to Islamic law, which constitutes a fabrication against Almighty Allah.”