Seminar on “The Call of the People of Qiblah” Hosted by the Muslim Council of Elders at the 2025 Islamic Book Fair in Jakarta
The Muslim Council of Elders held a thought-provoking seminar titled “The Call for the People of Qiblah and Efforts to Strengthen Intra-Islamic Dialogue” as part of its participation in the 2025 Islamic Book Fair in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event drew significant interest and active engagement from both visitors and participants.
The seminar featured distinguished speakers including Prof. Dr. Syafiq Mughni, Vice President of Muhammadiyah; Dr. Muhammad Zain Al-Majid, Member of the Executive Office of the Muslim Council of Elders; and Ms. Alissa Qotrunnada Wahid, Coordinator of the Gusdurian Network Indonesia (GNI).
Opening the seminar, Prof. Dr. Syafiq Mughni stressed the critical importance of intra-Islamic dialogue in light of the growing challenges facing the Muslim world, both internally and externally. He noted that these challenges are a true test for the Ummah, which the Qur’an describes as “You are the best community ever raised for humanity” [3:110]. Achieving this status, he explained, requires both knowledge and moral values, emphasizing that scientific advancement is incomplete without a strong ethical foundation.
He remarked, “The key to the revival of the Ummah lies in blending modern science with noble character. Morality is the backbone of any nation—when it collapses, the nation follows.” He also called for greater commitment to moderation and balance in addressing differences, stating that the advancement of knowledge and ethics together is what protects the Ummah from falling into extremism and takfir (excommunication).
Dr. Muhammad Zain Al-Majid, in turn, reflected on the significance of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference held in February 2025. Jointly organized by the Muslim Council of Elders, Al-Azhar, and Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the conference culminated in “The Call for the People of Qiblah”. He described the declaration as a sincere appeal to revive the spirit of Islamic unity, rooted in a religious imperative affirmed by Qur’anic teachings and a civilizational necessity that urges the Ummah to build its future through dialogue and shared values, rather than division.
In her remarks, Ms. Alissa Wahid affirmed that Indonesia’s cultural and religious diversity has made its practice of Islam a model of openness and compassion. She noted that Indonesian society is inherently multiethnic and called for the reinforcement of fraternal values as a means to counter hate speech and insularity.
