The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL), Sheikh Mohammad al-Issa, has said that contentious debates and misunderstandings led to the emergence and development of Islamophobia.
Issa was speaking at the Pakistan International Conference on “Islamophobia and its Impact on Relations between Islamic and Western Civilizations,” hosted by the International Islamic University.
He said that MWL has contacted several religious leaders and think tanks worldwide and held dialogues and discussions to clarify the image of Islam and correct some misconceptions.
MWL sought to explain some methods, whether done deliberately or out of ignorance, to tarnish the image of Islam and clarify wrong practices that are mistakenly considered Islamic.
The Sec-Gen asserted that Islam conveyed goodness and guidance for all and came as an enabler and a messenger.
The conference granted Issa the Peace Award in recognition of his contributions to promoting dialogue and limiting the spread of misinformation about Islam.
The meeting of religious leaders was hosted by the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC). Religious leaders and senior scholars attended it.
It is the first of its kind event in the country and was attended by Sheikh Issa, who described the meeting as “an occasion for understanding, dialogue, and building bridges.”