RESOLUTION NO.26-PFR/9-CONF

ON

CHARTER OF BROTHERHOOD

واعتصمو ابحبل الله جمیعا ولا تفرقوا

The Parliament Speakers and heads of delegations participating in the 9^th Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States Conference (PUIC) in Tehran from 18-19 February 2014,

Inspired by the teachings of the Holy Quran and the tradition of the great Prophet of Islam (PBUH) who has called on Muslims to strengthen their solidarity and disregard their differences,

Cognizant of the principles enshrined in the PUIC statute – specially the goals of the Union,

Mindful of the important religious commonalities shared by all Islamic schools, specially their common belief in the principles of Tawhid (Monotheism), Nubuwwah (Prophethood) and the day of judgment,

Stressing the need for the Islamic Umma to accentuate the need for common positions that are rooted in the great Islamic culture and civilization; as well as consolidating the power, solidarity and might of Muslims in facing global challenges,

Aware of the numerous problems facing member states, because of developments that have unfolded in recent years, chiefly the great scheme to sow seeds of discord among Muslims and the increasing flow of extremist currents that constitute a major menace to the unity of Muslims and the continuation of the glorious life of the Islamic Umma within the international community,

Seeking to stem the growing tide of division among the followers of the religion of Mohammad (PBUH) and effectively and comprehensively counter diversionary and extremist currents,

Stress the need for due attention to the following points, in relations between different Islamic schools, sects and peoples and expresses full readiness to help with their realization,

1- A MORE ACCURATE AND REALISTIC PERCEPTION OF ONE ANOTHER:

In their perception of one another, Muslims must be mindful of sources that are acceptable to the other party and refrain from passing judgments that are based on rumors circulating among the masses. Also, they must ignore untruthful rumors about the beliefs of other Muslims. The Ulama of different Islamic schools have a responsibility to encourage the Islamic Umma to abstain from divergence and -- with the best interests of others in mind -- use logical discourse to work towards the convergence of differing points of view.

2-MUTUAL TRUST

Trust and faith in other Muslims and abstention from all suspicions when interpreting the behavior of others, are pillars of Islamic ethical values, and as such, must be used as the basis for Moslem interaction.

3-COLLABORATION ON ISSUES OF COMMON AGREEMENT

A basic principle of Islamic relations encourages the faithful to use issues, over which there is common agreement, as a basis for their shared efforts and to ignore divisive issues.

4- APPLYING QURANIC METHODOLOGY TO INTERACTIONS WITH THE FAITHFUL AND OTHERS

According to these verses of holy Quran (…..) when interacting with the faithful and others, Muslims must use Quranic methodology and refrain from stirring negative feelings of hate and vindictiveness. To engage in a proper dialogue – or “better argumentation” in Quranic terminology -- both parties must refrain from using provocative language or incendiary and disturbing remarks and use words and phrases that bridge divisions, replace enmities with kindness and brotherly love and divisiveness with unity and harmony.

5- RESPONDING TO EXTREMISM AND SEDITIOUS PLOTS

To safeguard the wellbeing of Moslem relations and to preserve the unity of the Islamic Umma, extremists and those who, for whatever reason, engage in exaggeration in their comments and writings -- which are designed to foment agitation and fan the flames of sedition and anarchy – and are enthusiastically working to incite confrontations among Muslims, must be denied any and all opportunities.

6-FORESIGHT AND ALERTNESS IN RESPONSE TO ENEMY PLOTS

To counter plots hatched by the enemies -- which are working in vain to break Moslem unity through divisionary tactics -- Moslem leaders, Ulema and peoples must remain vigilant and prudent. Moslem unity and avoidance of disagreements and divisions are needed to help the Islamic Umma reach the peaks of prosperity and growth.

The Quranic verse “……” teaches that unity around the central idea of Tawhid (Monotheism) is empowering and that division leads to weakness. That is why the enemies of the Islamic Umma can only deliver their blows when Muslims are divided and hostile to each other.

7-ENGAGING THE CAPACITY OF ISLAMIC ULEMA AND SCHOLARS

The prominent role of Ulema, scholars and religious intellectuals must be accentuated. For it is they who can help realize the underlying principle behind Islamic unity by reducing the divide between Islamic schools and preaching the need for stronger Islamic morals -- including brotherhood, solidarity, concord, tolerance and respect for all Muslims – to their followers. To this end, support for the effective expansion of the activities of those religious organs and institutes that enjoy the popular support of the Islamic Umma – specially the International Islamic Figh Academy and similar organizations working for the proximity of Islamic schools and increasing interaction between religious centers and academia -- is strongly recommended.

8-INCREASED TELECOMMUNICATION AND MEDIA COLLABORATION BY MAKING USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY

The role of science and telecommunication technology – including audio, visual, electronic and print media – in fostering convergent views and tempering the prevailing opinions and psychological atmosphere inside Islamic communities, as well as paving the way for the promotion of a variety of collaborations between Islamic states, is undeniable.

CONCLUSION

Mindful of the above principles, members of the Union call on all Islamic states to remain committed to the following considerations, in conducting their political, cultural and developmental relations :-

1. To collaborate issues of common concern and take a unified position thereon. .
2. Assume a coordinated and unified position when facing the enemies of Islam; especially over issues that hold the combined interest of the Islamic Umma – such as the issue of Palestine.
3. Prevent the Takfiri current from taking root and preventing the continued rejection and jeopardizing of Islamic schools by other Islamic schools and preventing rallying the Islamic Umma around the principles of Tawhid (monotheism), Nubuwwah (Prophethood) and Mi’ad (the Day of Judgment and Resurrection).
4. With consideration to legitimacy of Ijtihad (legal reasoning) which is based on Islamic sources, it is only logical to accept Ijtihadat and its outcome. However the person who has asked for and referred to the Fatwa – providing there is consensus over the sources of the Ijtihadat -- remains free to accept or refuse the above edict; providing he does not apostatize (Takfir) the owner of the Ijtihadat. In other words, rulings on differences over Ijtihadat that talk of right or wrong or faith or heresy must be refused and condemned and judgments must be limited to the text being correctly or incorrectly based on Islamic Figh.
5. Issuance of Fatwa must be limited to Foghaha (Jurists) that:

• Have a clear understanding of God’s Book, the Tradition of the Great Prophet (PBUH), Figh and principles of Islam and have the ability to correctly derive Shari’a rulings from the above sources.
• Are familiar with the lives and concerns of the community and the times in which they live.
• Consider the priorities of the Islamic Umma when issuing Fatwas and design such decrees to target its problems.

6. Since the Holy Quran calls on Muslims to engage in rational, calm and unintimidating dialogue with others to reach the truth it is incumbent on Islamic states and Muslims to resolve their differences through peaceful, respectful and rational talks.
7. The need for the strengthening of existing organizations and establishment of new institutes that are engaged or will engage in Islamic studies, endorsed by all Islamic schools, to produce solutions for issues that involve all Muslims – such as interest free banking, insurance, commerce, international relations, and humanitarian rights.
8. Planning and organization of closer cooperation between Islamic states within the confines of OIC agenda and framework and to draft a common plan to enhance the universalization of Islam.