MICHIGAN, 6th May 2025 (WAM) -- The Muslim Council of Elders hosted a pivotal seminar titled "Intra-Islamic Dialogue: A Reading of the Call for the People of Qiblah" at America International Arabic Book Fair.

The event featured Imam Mohammad Mardini, Imam and Director of the American Muslim Centre in Dearborn, and Imam Ahmad Sobhi Mustafa, a Kansas City-based researcher and member of the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism.

Both speakers offered profound reflections on the urgent need to foster Islamic unity in the face of polarisation and divisive rhetoric.

The seminar built on the outcomes of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, organised by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with Al-Azhar and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain in February 2025.

It highlighted the "Call for the People of Qiblah" as a charter for unity and solidarity among Islamic schools of thought, offering a constructive pathway for mutual understanding across the Muslim world.

In his remarks, Imam Mohammad Mardini emphasised that Dearborn stands as a living example of Islamic unity and a practical embodiment of the principles outlined in the Call for the People of Qiblah declaration.

He stated, "In Dearborn, we embody the Call for the People of Qiblah by uniting Muslims from all backgrounds under one shared faith, as Allah commands in the Quran: 'And hold fast to the rope of Allah, all of you, and do not be divided.' For over four decades, we have built a community where all are welcomed in our mosques, without distinction. This charter has inspired us to confront the sectarian rhetoric promoted by some media platforms by launching dialogue-based initiatives and organising joint religious activities that foster coexistence, reflect the true spirit of Islam, and offer a model that can inspire communities across the Muslim world."

Imam Ahmad Sobhi Mustafa underscored the global relevance of the Call for the People of Qiblah declaration in countering extremism and fostering cooperation across diverse communities, particularly in culturally and ethnically pluralistic societies like the United States.

He remarked, "The Call for the People of Qiblah, launched by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, reminds us that our shared qiblah is a symbol of our unity, despite our differences. Allah intended diversity to be a source of enrichment, not division. Here in America-where stereotypes and political divides persist, we must engage one another directly, moving beyond preconceived perceptions. The charter calls on us to reject extremism and engage in dialogue, grounded in the Prophet's saying: 'Whoever prays our prayer, faces our qiblah in prayer, and eats our slaughtered animals is a Muslim.' Through conferences and joint forums, we can present a unified image of Islam and fulfill our role in building bridges and countering all manifestations of division."

The seminar also underscored the vital role of media and cultural exchange in promoting Islamic unity and encouraged grassroots initiatives inspired by the Call for the People of Qiblah charter. Participants called for the establishment of inclusive platforms and community initiatives that deepen shared awareness and strengthen bonds among Muslims.

This seminar was part of the Muslim Council of Elders' participation in the inaugural edition of the America International Arabic Book Fair, held from May 1 to May 4, 2025, at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Centre in Dearborn, Michigan.