MWL Chief: ‘Building Bridges’ Document Marks Key Shift in Islamic Cooperation

The “Global Conference for Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects” was held in March, 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The “Global Conference for Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects” was held in March, 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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MWL Chief: ‘Building Bridges’ Document Marks Key Shift in Islamic Cooperation

The “Global Conference for Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects” was held in March, 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The “Global Conference for Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects” was held in March, 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa said on Tuesday that the MWL’s “Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools” document is a major step forward in promoting unity within the Muslim world.

He said the endorsement of the document highlights the combined efforts of governments and scholars to strengthen solidarity, counter division, and serve the Muslim community.

During its 50th session in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) approved the document.

Issued by the MWL, it aims to heal sectarian divisions by promoting dialogue based on Islamic teachings. The document seeks to end long-standing disputes that have caused divisions within the Muslim community, urging a shift from unproductive debates to meaningful discussions.

The document was first presented in March at the “Global Conference for Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects,” held under the patronage of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

It gathered scholars from various Islamic sects worldwide and contains 28 articles focused on unity through the guidance of the Quran and the Prophet’s teachings.

Al-Issa praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support of the conference and Saudi Arabia’s leadership in uniting the Muslim world, emphasizing the Kingdom’s role in serving the Two Holy Mosques.



Saudi Etidal and Telegram Remove 129 Million Extremist Content

The partnership between Etidal and the Telegram platform is based on enhancing joint cooperation and expanding coordination. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The partnership between Etidal and the Telegram platform is based on enhancing joint cooperation and expanding coordination. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Etidal and Telegram Remove 129 Million Extremist Content

The partnership between Etidal and the Telegram platform is based on enhancing joint cooperation and expanding coordination. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The partnership between Etidal and the Telegram platform is based on enhancing joint cooperation and expanding coordination. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The joint efforts between the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) and the Telegram platform in the field of combatting extremist content have achieved new results. The two teams were able to remove 129,634,467 million extremist content and close 14,516 extremist channels on the platform since February 2022 until the end of the third quarter of 2024.
During the third quarter of 2024, the two teams monitored the propaganda activity of three terrorist organizations: ISIS, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Al-Qaeda. They removed 35,634,916 million extremist content and closed 323 extremist channels.
ISIS topped the list of removed posts with 34,602,606 extremist content and the closure of 189 extremist channels, followed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham with the removal of 768,821 extremist content and the closure of 87 extremist channels, while Al-Qaeda came at the bottom of the list with 263,489 extremist content and the closure of 47 extremist channels.
The two teams noted an increase in the propaganda activity of ISIS, with a peak on September 13, 2024, when the terrorist organization broadcasted 1,283,141 million extremist content.
The partnership between Etidal and the Telegram platform is based on enhancing joint cooperation and expanding coordination between them regarding the prevention and combating of terrorism and violent extremism (PCVE), by monitoring and removing terrorist propaganda content published in Arabic via the platform.