Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa

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Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa
Secretary General of the Muslim World League
Assumed office
12 August 2016
Preceded byAbdallah Ben Abdel Mohsen At-Turki
Minister of Justice
In office
14 February 2009 – 29 January 2015
Prime MinisterKing Abdullah
King Salman
Preceded byAbdullah bin Muhammad Al Sheikh
Succeeded byWaleed Al-Samani
Personal details
Born (1965-06-10) 10 June 1965 (age 58)
Riyadh
NationalitySaudi Arabian
Alma materImam Muhammad bin Saud University

Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa (Arabic: محمد بن عبد الكريم العيسى; born 9 June 1965) is a Saudi Arabian religious leader, Secretary General of the Muslim World League,[1] President of the International Islamic Halal Organization, and former Saudi Minister of Justice.

He also serves as the chairman of the Centre for Responsible Leadership, a body of globally influential government, faith, media, business, and community leaders working together to solve the challenges facing humanity and the world today.

Al-Issa is considered a leading global voice on moderate Islam as well as a key figure in the fight against extremist ideology.[2] Religious leaders and government officials alike have commended Al-Issa for his efforts to promote moderation, and cooperation and coexistence among all people.[3][4][5]

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York and an influential member of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, referred to Al-Issa as the "most eloquent spokesperson in the Islamic world for reconciliation and friendship among the religions of the world."[6] In a historic meeting with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell Nelson stated to Al-Issa, "You are a peacemaker. You are a bridge builder. And we need more leaders like you."[7] The American Jewish Committee has called Al-Issa "the most powerful voice in the Muslim world promoting moderate Islam."[8] Elan Carr, former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, said Al-Issa "has chosen a future of tolerance and affection, where Jews and Christians can be embraced by their Muslim brethren.”[9]

Ndileka Mandela, granddaughter of Noble laureate Nelson Mandela and head of the Thembekile Mandela Foundation, has praised Dr Al-Issa as a "remarkable voice for Muslim tolerance and moderation".

Early life and education[edit]

Al-Issa was born in Riyadh on June 10, 1965.[10][11] He obtained a bachelor of arts degree in Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.[12] Later, he received a master's degree and then a PhD degree in Comparative Judicial Studies as well as in Studies in General Law and Constitutional Law from the university's higher institute of the judiciary.

Career[edit]

After graduation, Al-Issa began to work at Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University as a faculty member.[12] He became vice president to the board of grievances (a legal body for arbitration) in 2007, and he served there until 2009.[12][13]

On February 14, 2009, he was appointed the Minister of Justice in the Saudi cabinet, replacing Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Sheikh[14][15] who had been in office since 1992.[16] The appointment of Al-Issa as the minister of justice was part of King Abdullah's reforms' initiatives.[17][18]

As the justice minister, Al-Issa oversaw key reforms in several areas, including legislative reforms in family matters, humanitarian cases, and for the rights of women.

Following Al-Issa's departure from the Board of Grievance, executions in the kingdom grew from 69 in 2010 to 158 in 2015.[19] Saudi courts are affiliated with the Board of Grievances (An independent body affiliated with the King) and do not belong to the Ministry of Justice [111].

Al-Issa was appointed Secretary General of the Muslim World League on August 4, 2016.[20]

Views[edit]

Issa argued in a lecture at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh in 2012 that Salafism was only an approach and that it should not be viewed as Islam. He further emphasized that the Salafi approach was moderate and meant following and obeying the ancestors' belief and values in regard to the understanding of Islam.[21]

Issa acknowledges the horror of the Holocaust and denounced the efforts of Holocaust denial. He advocates for Muslim immigrants to Western countries to integrate socially, in contrast to Wahhabi ideology.[22]

In January 2020, he led a delegation to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, to mark the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation from Nazis.[23] In a speech on how Muslims and Jews can work together, Al-Issa stated that the Muslim World League is proud to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the Jewish community to build better understanding, respect and harmony.[24]

In February 2020, Dr Al-Issa led a delegation of Islamic scholars to visit Srebrenica in Bosnia to pay respect at the Srebrenica-Potocari Genocide Memorial Centre.[25]

Issa is opposed to political Islam, saying that it does not reflect the true values of Islam and that Muslims in non-Muslim countries should respect the values of their nation of residence.[26]

Honors[edit]

Hajj sermon, 2022[edit]

In July 2022, the custodian of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud appointed Dr Al-Issa the Khateeb of Hajj 1443 Hijri to deliver the hajj sermon from the pulpit of Masjid Nimra. The Hajj is the largest gathering of Muslims in the world and Dr Al-Issa used the opportunity to advocate a moderate message of Islam promoting harmony and compassion.

He called on Muslims to avoid all that leads to "dissent, animosity, or division" and stressed that "our interactions are dominated by harmony and compassion”.[27] His address further asked Muslims "not to give any mind to those who are insolent, have ulterior motives, or seek to obstruct him" in a bid to promote tolerance and understanding. Dr Al-Issa underscored that Islam had an encompassing spirit whose goodness extended to all of humanity

Initiatives[edit]

Auschwitz visit[edit]

MWL General Secretary Dr Issa leads a delegation of Muslim leaders to Auschwitz Memorial in January 2020.
Dr Issa leads a delegation of Muslim leaders to Auschwitz Memorial in January 2020.

As the head of the MWL and a key Muslim voice for interfaith peace and coexistence, Dr Al-Issa collaborated with the American Jewish Committee (AJC) to lead an historic delegation of senior Muslim scholars and leaders to the Auschwitz concentration camp in January 2020.[28] The delegation consisted of 62 Muslims, including 25 prominent religious leaders, from 28 countries.

The visit aimed at condemning the atrocities carried out against the Jews during the World War II and expressing solidarity in standing against oppressors. AJC CEO David Harris said Dr Al-Issa's visit was the “most senior Islamic leadership delegation to ever visit Auschwitz or any Nazi German death camp”. Harris called the visit a "direct rebuttal to the extremists who threaten us all".

Dr Al-Issa led a similar delegation to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum again in January 2022.

Forum on Common Values among Religious Followers[edit]

MWL General Secretary Dr Al-Issa speaks at the Forum on Common Values among Religious Followers
Dr Al-Issa at the Forum on Common Values among Religious Followers

Under Dr Al-Issa's guidance, MWL arranged a discussion and debate forum in Riyadh in May 2022 titled "Forum on Common Values among Religious Followers" that brought together senior Muslim scholars and leaders as well as leadership and scholars of other religions from across the world.[29]

The forum was a key initiative in bringing leadership and followers of various religions together to discuss, appreciate and promote values that bind all religions. Combining common religious principles and international conventions, the forum issued a declaration of “Common Human Values” wherein participants agreed to affirm the centrality of religion in every civilization due to its influence in “shaping the ideas of human societies”.

The participants shunned denounced the idea of an 'inevitable clash of civilizations' due to religious issues. The forum underscored that attempts to gain religious, cultural, political and economic advantages without respect for rights or ethics, and through forms of extremism, arrogance and racism, must be opposed. One of the key successes of the forum was religious leaders agreeing that it was uncalled for to link religion and malpractices of some of its followers, and that religion must not be employed for worldly purposes.

The event was hailed as a landmark gathering of religious leadership from around the world and crucial to scaling efforts for peacebuilding and interfaith harmony. It was also cited as an effective initiative for engaging conflict parties, addressing grievances, and promote understanding on both sides of the political and religious divides.

Forum of Iraqi References[edit]

Dr Al-Issa was also instrumental in arranging an historic gathering of Iraqi religious leadership in the holy city of Makkah that aimed at promoting greater understanding and initiating comprehensive dialogue between the differing adherents of Islam.[30] Named "Forum of Iraqi References", the August 2021 event focused on discussing and developing frameworks on the roles of scholars in combatting sectarianism and religious extremism, promoting intra-faith coexistence, and providing support to Iraqi government efforts to achieve a lasting peace. At the end of the conference, participants agreed to denounce sectarianism and urged coexistence, moderation, mutual respect and tolerance. They also called for “opening constructive dialogue channels” among the clerics to deal with various issues.

Dr Issa welcomes delegates at the Afghanistan conference in Makkah in June 2021
Dr Issa welcomes delegates at the Afghanistan conference in Makkah in June 2021

Conference on the Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan[edit]

In June 2021, Dr Al-Issa and the Muslim World League spearheaded a meeting of religious and political leadership from Afghanistan and Pakistan in the holy city of Makkah that devised a roadmap for attaining lasting peace in the war-torn country.[31]

Following a full-day conference, an accord was signed that defined religious parameters to achieve a just and comprehensive peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan in line with Islamic principles.

Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, then federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony in Pakistan, and Mohammad Qasim Halimi, then minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs of Afghanistan, signed the agreement.

Dr Al-Issa had said that the conference had highlighted the strong resolve "of our brothers in the meeting to advance peace in Afghanistan".

The Charter of Makkah[edit]

The Charter of Makkah, endorsed in May 2019, was an effort led by the Muslim World League under Dr Al-Issa. The Charter was formulated to create a pan-Islamic set of principles that support anti-extremism, religious and cultural diversity, tolerance and legislation against hate and violence.[32]

The document was declared at the end of the four-day conference organized by the Muslim World League in Makkah. It was approved by Islamic leaders of 139 countries and signed by around 1,200 prominent Muslim figures.

At the conference, more than 1,000 religious scholars representing 128 countries discussed ways to come up with a comprehensive plan to address sectarianism and extremism within Islam, and stressed the need to create effective channels of communication between the different schools of Islam.

Faith For Our Planet[edit]

Early in 2022, Dr Al-Issa laid the foundation of Faith For Our Planet, a global inter-faith coalition of environmentalists, religious leaders bureaucrats, politicians, and researchers. FFOP's aim is to mobilize the influence of faith and faith leaders to address the increasing threat to the planet posed by climate change. In FFOP, Dr Al-Issa envisions providing the world with an influential platform where faiths, faith leaders and faith communities can come together to find ways for climate change mitigation and for preservation of our planet.

In this regard, FFOP began a series of workshops in June 2022, with the first workshop - Pakistan: United for Shared Responsibility - being held in Islamabad on June 13 and 14 in collaboration with Iqbal International Institute of Research and Dialogue at IIUI, RSPN, and ifees.ecoislam .[33] The agenda of the workshop attended by leading clerics, academics and community welfare leaders from across Pakistan was to analyze the effects on environment already caused by climate change and discuss how faith could play an instrumental role in environmental preservation and climate change reversal.

The workshop was followed by a youth workshop that trained youngsters on how they could play a concrete role in environment preservation and the ways they could create community-wide awareness about the perils of climate degradation.

2023 India Visit[edit]

In July 2023, Dr. Al-Issa undertook a significant visit to India that spanned five days.[34] During his time in the country, he voiced concerns about the surge in global conflicts, particularly highlighting the negative role played by terrorist organizations. Through an interview with the news agency ANI, Dr. Al-Issa clarified that the ideologies of Islam and terrorism are distinct, emphasizing that they "have nothing to do with each other."[35]

Marking a historic moment in his tour, Dr. Al-Issa led the Friday prayers at Delhi's Jama Masjid.[36] This occasion was notably significant as he became the first individual from outside India to assume this role at the revered mosque in over four centuries.[37] Additionally, showcasing inter-faith harmony, he visited the renowned Akshardham Temple in Delhi. There, he advocated for universal peace and harmony, underscoring the importance of love and unity, irrespective of the underlying reasons for global conflicts.[38]

The tense relations between Muslims and Hindus in the region in general called for this visit. During the visit, Sheikh Al-Issa worked to bring points of view closer and to talk with officials in India about the Islamic community and the importance of their rights.[39]

He addressed the Islamic community on the importance of coexistence, harmony, and interaction with society.[40]

Awards and recognitions[edit]

Since taking over the Muslim World League in 2016, Dr. Al-Issa has received a number of awards and recognitions from a wide range of prominent international institutions and government officials.

  • October 2020: The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre named Al-Issa one of the most influential Muslims globally in its 2020 edition of “The Muslim 500: The World's Most Influential Muslims.”[41]
  • June 2020: Dr. Al-Issa received the inaugural Combat Anti-Semitism Award from the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement and the American Sephardi Federation for his contributions to the fight against anti-Semitism and racism.[42][43][44]
  • August 2019: Dr. Al-Issa was awarded the “Children of Abraham” Award alongside the head of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Rabbi Marc Schneier by the Florence School of Advanced Studies for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue at the 40th annual Rimini Meeting.[45]
  • July 2019: Senegal's President Macky Sall awarded Dr. Al-Issa the Grand Order of the State in recognition of his efforts to promote religious understanding and harmony, and humanitarian programs around the world.[46]
  • February 2019: Dr. Al-Issa received the World's Religions Peace Award from the National Council on US-Arab Relations for his international efforts to promote interfaith peace and harmony.[47]
  • November 2018: Dr. Al-Issa received the 2018 Moderation Prize from Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal for his efforts to combat extremist and terrorist ideology and promote moderation and peace.[48]
  • July 2018: Dr. Al-Issa received the 2018 Galileo International Award from the Galileo Foundation in Florence, Italy for his international achievements and leadership in promoting religious and cultural unity.[49]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Dr. Al-Issa takes over as secretary general of MWL". The International Islamic News Agency (IINA). Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  2. ^ "MWL chief receives World's Religions Peace Award". Arab News. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Senegal president honors Muslim World League chief for efforts to spread moderation". Arab News. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Muslim World League cited in US for its anti-extremism campaign". Arab News. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  5. ^ Woods, John (9 May 2019). "Cardinal Dolan Hosts Leader of Muslim World League". Catholic New York. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  6. ^ "@CardinalDolan welcomed HE Dr. Mohammad Al Issa". Twitter. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Muslim World League and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints resolve to enhance cooperation and promote respect and coexistence". AP NEWS. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa". themwl.org. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  9. ^ "MWL's chief honored for fighting anti-Semitism, calls for unity against hatred". Saudigazette. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Minister of Justice". Saudi Embassy Washington. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Mohamad bin Abdul Karim Issa". GLP. Retrieved 8 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ a b c "Profiles". Saudi Gazette. 15 February 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  13. ^ Christopher Boucek (June 2009), "Saudi Arabia's king changes the guard" (PDF), Jane's Islamic Affairs Analyst, Carnegie Endowment, archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2010, retrieved 5 May 2012
  14. ^ "Council of Senior Ulema reconstituted". Saudi Gazette. Riyadh. 15 February 2009. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  15. ^ "King Abdullah Conducts Major Cabinet Reshuffle". Asharq Alawsat. 15 February 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  16. ^ "The Council of Ministers". Saudia Online. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  17. ^ "King Abdullah Reshuffles Cabinet, Embarks on New Reform Initiative". US-Saudi Arabian Business Council. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  18. ^ "Saudi King appoints first woman to council". CNN. 14 February 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  19. ^ "Number of executions carried out by Saudi-Arabia from 2007 to June 2017". Statista. June 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Dr. Al-Issa took office as Secretary General of the Muslim World League". Muslim World League. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  21. ^ "Salafism is only an approach, says justice minister". The Muslim Times. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  22. ^ Hannah, John. "It's Time for Saudi Arabia to Stop Exporting Extremism". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  23. ^ "Muslim World League chief heads delegation to genocide sites in Bosnia and Poland". Arab News. 22 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Muslim World League head becomes first recipient of award uniting faiths". JNS.org. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  25. ^ "Muslim World League delegation visits Srebrenica Memorial Centre". N1 (in Bosnian). 9 February 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  26. ^ "Saudi Islamic Scholar Muhammad Bin Abdul Karim Issa: There Is No Place for Political Islam in France or Anywhere Else; People Must Respect the Laws and Values of Their Country or Leave". France 24 Arabic TV (in Arabic). MEMRI. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa - Arafat Sermon (transcript-video)". www.americanrhetoric.com. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  28. ^ "In memory of the Holocaust, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Alissa led a delegation of senior Muslim scholars and leaders in coordination with the American Jewish Committee to the Auschwitz concentration camp". Muslim World League. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  29. ^ Nerozzi, Timothy (12 May 2022). "Muslim scholars, bishops, rabbis and Hindu leaders meet in Saudi Arabian religious conference". Fox News. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  30. ^ League, Muslim World. "Muslim World League Convenes Sunni and Shiite leaders from Iraq in Makkah to Bridge the Divide". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  31. ^ League, Muslim World. "Muslim World League Seals "Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan"". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  32. ^ "The Charter of Makkah". Muslim World League. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  33. ^ "FFOP To Engage Religious Mobilisers For Nature Conservation In Pakistan". UrduPoint. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  34. ^ "MWL chief starts official visit to India". Arab News. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  35. ^ "'Islam and terrorism have nothing…': Muslim World League chief Al-Issa". Hindustan Times. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  36. ^ Anas, Mohammed (14 July 2023). "Islam seeks humility, good character in its followers, says World Muslim League chief from pulpit of Jama Masjid". Indianarrative. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  37. ^ "muslim world league: news | News - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  38. ^ Web Desk. "Look: Muslim World League chief Sheikh Mohammed Al Issa visits Hindu temple Akshardham in India". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  39. ^ Anas, Mohammed (7 July 2023). "Why visit of World Muslim League head to India may have far reaching consequences". Indianarrative. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  40. ^ "'True Muslim rejects all forms of extremism': Muslim World League's Al-Issa at Jama Masjid". Hindustan Times. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  41. ^ "The Muslim 500: The World's Most Influential Muslims" (PDF). Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  42. ^ "Saudi cleric says combatting anti-Semitism a duty". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  43. ^ "Muslim World League will stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with Jews against anti-Semitism". Al Arabiya English. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  44. ^ "Top Saudi cleric: Jews, Muslims need to join forces to fight antisemitism". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  45. ^ "NY Rabbi, head of Muslim World League receive 'Children of Abraham' award". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  46. ^ "President of Senegal decorates MWL Secretary General with State Greater Medal وكالة الأنباء السعودية". www.spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  47. ^ "MWL chief receives World's Religions Peace Award". Arab News. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  48. ^ "Muslim World League chief praised for global efforts to combat extremism". Arab News. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  49. ^ "MWL Chief Receives Galileo International Award". Asharq AL-awsat. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by Secretary General of Muslim World League
2016 – 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Abdullah Aal Al Sheikh
 Minister of Justice
2009 – 2015 		Succeeded by
Waleed Al-Samani[1]
  1. ^ "Saudi King orders major cabinet shake-up". Asharq Al-Awsat daily newspaper. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
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