H.E. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, emphasised the importance of scholars and religious leaders assuming their responsibility in refuting allegations and misconceptions attributed to Islam regarding women’s issues. He stressed the need to address such claims through sound scholarship, clear evidence, and appropriate discourse, rather than through general or abstract responses.
Dr. Al-Issa made these remarks while participating as the Guest of Honour in the international seminar organised by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) in cooperation with the Muslim World League on Monday in Jeddah, under the title “The Role of Religious Leaders in Combating Violence Against Women.”
He explained that many of the accusations falsely directed at Islam concerning women often stem from ignorance, prejudice, or ulterior motives. He underscored the importance of engaging with the details of the issues raised and refuting misconceptions through authentic Islamic evidence, employing a methodology and discourse capable of reaching diverse societies and cultures.
Dr. Al-Issa noted that the responsibility for confronting such misconceptions does not rest solely upon individual scholars but also extends to scholarly councils and academic institutions as a collective obligation. He emphasised that coordinated scholarly efforts enhance their effectiveness in addressing the major challenges facing Muslim societies.
The MWL Secretary General called upon the two fiqh academies of the Muslim World League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to prepare a comprehensive joint scholarly work, translated into major world languages, addressing issues and questions related to women. Such a project, he said, would help present the Islamic legal position in a rigorous and integrated manner while responding effectively to misconceptions and narratives circulating both within and outside the Muslim world.
He further stated that the two academies possess substantial scholarly resources, research capabilities, and practical expertise for studying contemporary realities and addressing emerging issues. He expressed his hope that the seminar would mark the beginning of this important collaborative academic endeavor.
In a related context, Dr. Al-Issa stressed the importance of integrating religious guidance with specialized family counseling. He called for strengthening family education and counseling programs, particularly for those preparing for marriage, through training and awareness courses that help build the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful marital life and contribute to preventing family breakdown at an early stage.
He explained that awareness grounded in faith and moral values plays a significant role in protecting families and promoting stability, noting that a sincere word of guidance can sometimes save families from disintegration and loss.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Al-Issa affirmed that “there is neither legitimacy nor immunity for violence that violates a woman’s physical or moral dignity.” He warned against justifying violence in the name of Islamic law or falsely attributing such practices to Islam.
Dr. Al-Issa also praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in serving Islam, Muslims, and humanity. He noted that whenever the Muslim World League participates in such scholarly forums and Islamic initiatives, it represents one of the Kingdom’s many contributions and services offered to the Islamic world.
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