Letter From the Editor Originality and modernity are wings of Islamic thought There is a dire need to evaluate the Is- for the welfare of humanity. lamic thought constantly and revise its meth- Certainly, universities should pay more odology and mission in order to identify the attention to the cultural and intellectual pub- problems of this thought and its recent devel- lications, which contribute to awareness and opments. This should occur when there are guidance of people. This is the most impor- deviations from the approved methodologies tant mission of the university in the service and mission just like the case of many ex- of the community. tremists and delinquents. Consequently, the The positive effects of the human thought title “Islamic Thought: Methodology and appear in the development of science, cul- Mission” was chosen as the theme of the ture and businesses. Paying attention to the conference organized by the Muslim World human thoughts at our universities and insti- League in Dakar under the auspices of Sen- tutes leads to the desired development and egalese President Macky Sall. progress. This approach will lead to putting Serious talks and discussions took place Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa’s speech into practice, and resulted in important visions and ideas especially the bringing-up of the Muslim including the importance of linking the hu- youth who will carry the banner of the Is- man mind to faith in a way that makes the lamic thought. belief and faith the key reference of the Mus- Thought leaders and intellectuals know lim intellectual. Prophet Muhammad’s Sun- very well that systematic thinking and con- nah is the approved methodology that draws sideration are based on goals and purposes up the right path for all Muslims. Such link- including solving problems, interpreting ing is the reason for the strength and excel- strange phenomena and addressing issues lence of Islamic thought. facing communities together with taking The Secretary General of the Muslim positive attitudes towards them. World League Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Nowadays, Muslims suffer from weak- Abdulkarim Al-Issa has stressed the origi- ness and underdevelopment in all areas and nality of the Islamic thought at the opening at all levels due to their intellectual back- session when he said “Originality and mo- wardness although they were in the past the dernity are the wings of Islamic thought used role models of the whole world in culture to reach the reform, creativity and cultural and thought. The lack of resources is not the influence.” real reason, but departing from the correct The outcomes of the conference are thought and path is. Therefore, the only way closely related to the concept of authentic- to progress and development is to reform the ity and modernity. The participants called systematic approach and abide by the su- upon academic, scientific and intellectual in- preme mission of Islam. stitutions to enhance their role in addressing By following this approach, demands of modern legal issues and understanding them the participants in the conference can be ful- correctly in order to reach accurate and cor- filled through removing all the negative ef- rect answers that introduce for all a road map fects in the old and modern thought together. PB lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019 l lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019l 1 11 MWL holds international 4 conference in Dakar Dhul-Qadah 1440/ July 2019 1440/ July Dhul-Qadah Ghanaian Vice-President opens 14 MWL conference in Accra 2 lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019 l lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019l 3 12 President of Senegal decorates Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa with State Greater Medal Dr. Al-Issa meets King of Ashanti and launches food aid campaign in Ghana 20 2 lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019 l lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019l 3 MWL holds international conference in Dakar 4 lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019 l lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019l 5 Dakar (Senegal) - MWL Under the patronage of His Excellency, the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, the International Conference on Islamic Thought, Methodology and Mission wrapped up its activities in the Senegalese capital of Dakar. The conference was organized by the Muslim World League and saw the participation of distinguished African scholars and intellectuals. 4 lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019 l lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019l 5 Dr. Al-Issa addresses the opening of the conference Participants stressed the impor- Qur’an and the Sunnah to be able to tance of linking the human mind to undertake the Islamic sciences and the faith framework, to be on the confront extremist and violent ideas path of guidance and vision, adher- with their entire negative approaches ing to the traditions of civilization and developments, including terror- and human advancement in its moral ist delinquency. context, seeking peaceful and digni- Participants also stressed the fied life, and keen to unify the rows need to call on universities and sci- and do good to all. entific and intellectual institutions Conferees noted the authentic- to enhance their role in the study of ity of Islamic thought, which is ex- modern Islamic issues and to take pressed by the qualified and the com- cognizance of them in order to come petent specialists who can consider up with correct answers, solutions developments and have the ability to and perceptions that provide the separate the wheat from the chaff in road map for the benefit of the entire the contemporary intellectual trends. humanity. Conferees called for constructive Participants expressed their grati- thought based on the guidance of the tude to the Senegalese president 6 lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019 l lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019l 7 Part of the opening session of the Conference and his government for their gener- welcomed MWL’s Secretary General ous care and hospitality. They also His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Muham- thanked the Muslim World League mad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and the and its Secretary General for their attendees. He expressed his pleasure commendable efforts in disseminat- at holding this conference hosted by ing the tolerant principles of Islam the Senegalese government and peo- and confronting extremism, vio- ple and thanked the Muslim World lence and terrorism and calling for League for organizing the confer- more activism and programs that ence as part of its programs aimed provide wise intellectual guidance at promoting the scientific and intel- in the contemporary issues that are lectual communication with differ- necessary for the Muslim nation and ent nations and cultures. the entire humankind. His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mu- The conference’s activities kicked hammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa de- off with a speech delivered on the livered a speech in which he thanked behalf of the Senegalese president the Senegalese President for his gen- by Speaker of Senegal’s Parliament, erous patronage of the conference, Mr. Moustapha Niasse, in which he asserting that the importance of its 6 lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019 l lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019l 7 A huge numbers of participants in the Conference theme lied in the distinguished Afri- He added, “The Islamic thought can scholars’ presence. has illuminated the world with its His Excellency stressed the mercy, humanity, reform, justice, MWL’s constant keenness to express openness and tolerance within the the truths of Islam and its tolerant guidance of Islam, as well as the re- principles and its positive openness alities of the bright Islamic history to a number of cultures and civiliza- which is attributed to Islam, and not tions, its dedication to the establish- those who misuse its name for their ment of moderation and confronta- material and political interests and tion of exaggeration and extremism their ideological ideas. Those are and its call to make the scientific and fully attributed to their greed and intellectual meetings of Muslims ex- misguidance. We all know that the press their unified word, away from Islamic law has not preserved any- labeling and exclusion under any one from sinning or falling a prey slogan other than the slogan of Islam to misguidance or darkness but the and its name and collective descrip- only preserved and perfect is our tion. He stressed the importance of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon absorbing others with the supreme him.” His Excellency indicated that manners of Islam. authenticity and modernity are the 8 lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019 l lDhul-Qa’dah 1440/July 2019l 9 The attendees of the conference are the excellencies, researchers, scientists, scholars wings of Islamic thought, hovering Islamic personality, especially the in the horizon of reform, creativity young people to hold an enlightened and cultural influence. He stressed Islamic thought that is helpful for the importance of the Islamic mod- them, the nation, the homeland and eration in the face of the intellectual all humankind. deviation. His Eminence Sheikh Al-Hajj Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa stressed the Imam Emai Anayang, Minister of importance of understanding the sig- Religious Affairs, delivered a speech nificance of the texts of the Shari’ah in which he said: “The Islamic and exploring its purposes and rules. thought, which we are discussing He underscored the importance of some of its theses today, is marked understanding the jurisprudence of by open and flexible characteristics priorities, balances and consequenc- and innovations, but they are guided es as well as spreading awareness of by Islam and follows its course. the rules of Shari’ah in changing the His Eminence said that the law fatwas and rulings, by the change of of Allah Almighty is concerned with times and places, conditions, cus- organizing the life of humans.