The tenth seminar by the Muslim Council of Elders at the Cairo International Book Fair took place at the Council’s stand at the Egypt International Exhibition Center. The seminar was titled ‘Renewal of Religious Discourse: Reality and Hopes’ and presented by Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Ghany Shama, Professor of Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Languages and Translation in Al-Azhar University and Secretary-General of the Egyptian Family House alongside Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Siraj, Professor of Islamic Studies at the American University in Cairo.

During the seminar, Dr. Shama remarked that in order to instill values and ideals in the conscience of young people, as well as to give their personality a solid educational foundation, there are certain issues on which the renewal issue must be built. These issues arise from the curricula in all Islamic institutions. This would aid individuals in improving themselves, giving back to those around them, and helping to create a civilization that advances with the times.

Dr. Shama stressed that in order to develop the religious spirit, we must practice correct behavior, recognize the other and respect their faith and beliefs. He also emphasized the importance of teaching Islamic culture to all university students in the Islamic world since Islam is not only a religion that encourages acts of worship but also a religion that encourages worldly work to develop the earth.

For his part, Dr. Siraj discussed the concerns that occasionally arise when addressing renewal and how they are typically caused by the hurried ambition of those discussing the question of renewal in Islamic philosophy. The norm of altering the fatwa with changes in time, place, and circumstances is another example of how the Islamic legal system is built on spiritual sources and takes progress into account. As a result, jurisprudential thought is related to ongoing modernization and renewal.

The Council’s participation at the Cairo International Book Fair comes as part of His Eminence the Grand Imam’s vision of promoting dialogue and spreading tolerance and peace globally as well as building bridges of cooperation with people of all backgrounds. The Council’s participation at the Cairo International Book Fair is located in Hall 4 next to the Al-Azhar stand at the Egypt International Exhibition Center.