Director of the Muslim World League Office in Italy to Ara Pyom:
“King Saud was the first to call for the unity of Muslim scholars, and King Faisal called for Islamic solidarity.”
In an interview conducted by the Italian newspapers Ara Pyom and Al‑Nahda on the sidelines of the symposium “Mosques and Their Role in Civilization”, organized in Udine in the Friuli region of Italy, Dr. Farid Iskandar Al‑Khutani, Director of the Muslim World League Office in Italy, shared his reflections on the event and highlighted aspects of King Salman’s approach—and that of the Al Saud family more broadly—in healing divisions and unifying the Islamic nation.
Below are Dr. Al‑Khutani’s responses to the questions posed:
On the Atmosphere of the Symposium
Q: What are your impressions of this important symposium organized today by the Mercy, Solidarity, and International Shelter Center?
A:
“We are living in a deeply spiritual atmosphere. We see brothers and Muslims—most of them young—who, instead of going to clubs and entertainment venues, come to the House of God and to His obedience. From this atmosphere, we ask God Almighty to spread such a spirit among all Muslims, so that they may live in environments that bring hearts together and turn people back to their Lord and Creator. We pray that these blessed atmospheres remain constant, and that God instills love and harmony among our hearts so that we remain brothers who love one another for the sake of God, with God, and toward God.”
On Disputes Between Federations and Islamic Centers
Q: What is your message regarding the ongoing disputes between federations and Islamic centers, despite the efforts of Morocco’s higher authorities to unify the community and strengthen their collective voice in calling to God according to the Prophet’s Sunnah and the path of moderation?
A:
“God Almighty says: ‘And the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke anyone besides Him.’ Mosques—regardless of who built them or the nationality of those who attend—exist for one purpose: the worship of God and the cultivation of His houses. This is a noble objective that we must all support and uphold with clarity of vision. Believing men and women are brothers; all Muslims of all nationalities and ethnicities are brothers in God. We must ensure that mosques are for everyone. Those who built or developed them deserve thanks, but these houses belong to all Muslims, and we appreciate everyone who contributes to this noble path.”
On King Salman’s Efforts to Unite Muslims
Q: I lived in Saudi Arabia in 1978, when the current King was Governor of Riyadh. He was beloved by the people for the steps he took—and continues to take—to unite Muslims, strengthen the Arabs, and extinguish discord. What is your view on this?
A:
“This is not surprising for King Salman. His father, King Abdulaziz Al Saud, was always deeply conscious of the Islamic nation and its minorities. He would often say that we have a duty to support our brothers who are in need, to stand with them, and to assist them. And do not forget that King Saud—may God have mercy on him—was the first to call for the establishment of a Union of Muslim Scholars in the Islamic world, and he called upon Islamic governments to meet and convene. Then came King Faisal—may God have mercy on him—who was always a champion of Islamic solidarity. This is but one example of a legacy passed down from father to son among the Al Saud family, who have consistently promoted a tolerant and moderate Islam.”
Interview by: Najim Abdel‑Ilah
Muslim World League — Offices and Centers Worldwide
إذا رغبت في صياغة أكثر رسمية للنشر الأكاديمي، أو إعداد نسخة ثنائية اللغة (عربي–إنجليزي)، أو تحويل النص إلى مادة بحثية حول تاريخ الدعوات للوحدة الإسلامية، يسعدني العمل على ذلك.