H. Em. Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazar, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders: Intra-Islamic Dialogue Is a Fundamental Pillar for Strengthening Unity Among Muslims and Fostering Fraternity and Coexistence
His Eminence Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazar, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders and Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, emphasized that unity, solidarity, and harmony within the Muslim Ummah, along with avoiding division and discord, are fundamental duties in Islam and a great blessing from Allah. He stated that intra-Islamic dialogue serves as a crucial pillar for reinforcing Muslim unity, strengthening fraternal bonds, and resolving intellectual and sectarian differences through peaceful and scholarly means based on mutual respect in today’s world.
Speaking in the fourth episode of the program “One Ummah,” titled “Islamic Fraternity,” broadcast on the Muslim Council of Elders’ platforms during the holy month of Ramadan, Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazar highlighted that the Muslim Ummah faces multiple challenges, making internal dialogue an essential necessity for preserving unity and preventing fragmentation, which adversaries of Islam may exploit. He emphasized that Islam places great importance on the unity of the Ummah, as evidenced by numerous Quranic verses and Prophetic hadiths, including: Allah Almighty says, “Surely this religion of yours is only one, and I am your Lord, so fear Me [alone].” (The Quran, 23: 52) Likewise, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts reinforce each other.”(Agreed upon)
His Eminence further stated that throughout history, Muslims have stood united as a strong and unshakable foundation in the face of challenges, solving issues through unity and cooperation. He cited the hadith narrated by Nu‘man ibn Bashir (May Allah be pleased with him) in which the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Unity is mercy, and division is torment.” This noble hadith, he explained, signifies that blessings come through unity, while division leads to harm and destruction. This principle has been a core tenet of Islamic belief among Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jama‘ah. Looking back at history, he noted that whenever the Muslim Ummah remained united and firmly upheld its principles, it flourished in all fields and led the world in knowledge and civilization. However, whenever discord took root, the Ummah faced hardships and crises.
Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazar stressed that in today’s world, Muslim unity is more critical than ever, especially amid the challenges and crises affecting the global landscape. Maintaining Islamic unity fosters stability and peace and helps spread the true, tolerant teachings of Islam. Therefore, intra-Islamic dialogue is an urgent necessity in our time to address both internal and external threats to the unity of the Ummah. By embracing the spirit of Islamic fraternity and working to bridge differences, he affirmed, the Ummah can achieve its revival and confront challenges with collective strength and unity.