WOMEN’S pivotal role in Islamic dialogue and the importance of fostering understanding among different Islamic schools of thought took centre stage at a major international conference in Bahrain.
Scholars and intellectuals from across the Islamic world took part in the third session of the Bahrain Conference on Intra-Islamic Dialogue held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
The two-day event, which concluded at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay yesterday, was organised under the theme, ‘One Nation ... One Destiny’.
Panellists during the session
The session, moderated by Dr Rashid bin Ali Al Harthi, Dean of the College of Sharia Sciences in Oman, highlighted women’s role in the rise of Islam and growth of civilisation.
The participants also unanimously agreed that dialogue was essential for achieving social harmony and strengthening co-existence among Islamic schools of thought.
They stressed the importance of embedding these values in society and ensuring that women are fully integrated into these efforts as key contributors to shaping future generations based on principles of tolerance and mutual understanding.
Dr Mahmoud Alkhuzaee, President of the University and Institute of Justice and Wisdom in Michigan, US, underscored the need to spread a culture of dialogue and tolerance to elevate the status of women in society.
“Empowering women benefits the entire community,” he stated, stressing that their role should extend beyond mere participation in events.
Citing Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the wife of Prophet Mohammed, he highlighted her wisdom and faith as crucial to supporting the Islamic call.
“Her contributions remind us that women have always played an integral role in Islamic civilisation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Aisha Yousif Al Mannai, Director of the Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani Centre for Muslim Contribution to Civilisation at the College of Islamic Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, reinforced the idea that intra-Islamic dialogue required the active involvement of both men and women.
“We cannot achieve a meaningful dialogue if half of our society is left behind,” she said, adding that women had a unique role in instilling a culture of dialogue from childhood by promoting respect for differences and reinforcing tolerance and moderation.
“Societies cannot progress unless men and women share responsibilities in building and advancing communities,” she said in reference to the Al Azhar Declaration.
Dr Al Mannai also highlighted the resilience of Palestinian women in times of crisis.
“Their steadfastness in the face of adversity is a testament to their role in preserving identity and reinforcing Islamic values.”
Supreme Council for Women vice-president Dr Shaikha Mariam bint Hassan Al Khalifa pointed out that women, as half of society, significantly influence the promotion of understanding from an early age.
“We must instil values of tolerance and openness in the younger generation, enhancing their ability to engage in meaningful dialogue,” she remarked, stressing the need for respect across religious and sectarian divides.
“A cohesive society is built on shared values that unite Muslims, enabling us to shape our collective future.”
Dr Safinaz Suleiman, a fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US, addressed the challenges faced by Muslim communities in the West and the role of Islamic institutions in supporting them.
“Muslims in Europe and the US are an integral part of the global Islamic nation,” she noted.
“Their presence represents a source of civilisational strength that must be nurtured through stronger ties with the broader Muslim world.”
She urged leading Islamic institutions, particularly Al Azhar, to support Muslim communities through cultural exchange programmes, academic co-operation, and initiatives that equip religious leaders with the tools to promote an accurate understanding of Islam.
Dr Nahla Al Saeedi, adviser to the Grand Imam of Al Azhar for expatriate affairs, stressed the distinguished status Islam granted women and their crucial role in fostering dialogue.
She referenced historical figures like Aisha bint Abi Bakr, also wife of Prophet Muhammad, as an example of a woman who enriched religious discourse.
“Women have a natural ability in communication and conflict resolution,” she stated. “We must empower them to take on a more active role in bridging differences between Islamic sects.”
The session concluded with a renewed commitment to foster intra-Islamic dialogue, ensuring that women remain at the forefront of efforts to bridge divides and cultivate a shared vision for the Islamic nation’s future.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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