MWL Organizing Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought, Sects 

MWL Organizing Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought, Sects 
TT

MWL Organizing Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought, Sects 

MWL Organizing Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought, Sects 

Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Muslim World League (MWL) will host the second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects in Makkah next month.

The conference, themed "towards an effective Islamic convergence," will bring together leading muftis, scholars, intellectuals, and representatives from senior Islamic councils, jurisprudential academies, and religious institutions across different sects and denominations on the sixth and seventh days of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The conference serves as a unified platform for fostering constructive dialogue among diverse Islamic traditions and coordinating efforts and resources to strengthen Islamic unity while ensuring mutual respect for doctrinal diversity. It aims to overcome sectarian disputes that have historically led to division and conflict, promoting fraternity and cohesion through practical, impactful initiatives.

This year's conference marks a critical step in transforming the principles outlined in the inaugural conference—through the "Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" Charter—into actionable programs. Discussions will address pressing issues, particularly enhancing intra-Islamic dialogue and cooperation.

A key highlight of the conference will be the launch of the encyclopedia of Islamic intellectual convergence, prepared by the intellectual protection center (Feker) in Saudi Arabia at the request of the scholars of the Building Bridges Charter. The encyclopedia, developed with contributions from 60 distinguished Islamic scholars and thinkers, aims to serve as a comprehensive guide to common Islamic principles.

Additionally, the event will witness the unveiling of the strategic and implementation plan for the "Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" Charter, along with several key initiatives and programs designed to advance its objectives.



Saudi Arabia to Host Talks between US, Russian, Ukrainian Officials on Monday

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures as he attends a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 12, 2025. (Reuters)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures as he attends a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 12, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Talks between US, Russian, Ukrainian Officials on Monday

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures as he attends a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 12, 2025. (Reuters)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures as he attends a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 12, 2025. (Reuters)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday Ukrainian experts would be present at upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia involving the United States and Russia, but will not be in the same room as Russia, as a diplomatic push to end the war intensifies.

Russian and US experts are due to discuss ways to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea at talks on a possible peace settlement in Saudi Arabia on Monday, the Kremlin said.

"There will be technical teams present there," Zelenskiy said during a visit to Norway.

"I understand that the structure is the following: there will be a meeting of Ukraine and America and then some shuttle diplomacy, as our American colleagues said, America with Russia," he told a press conference with Norway's premier.

Zelenskiy said on Wednesday Kyiv would draw up a list of facilities that could be subject to a partial ceasefire brokered by Washington. That list could include not only energy, but also rail and port infrastructure, he said.

Negotiators from Moscow and the US will meet Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs adviser Sergei Ushakov told Russian news agencies.

US President Donald Trump and Zelenskiy agreed on Wednesday to work together to end Russia's war with Ukraine, in what the White House described as a "fantastic" one-hour phone call, their first conversation since their Oval Office shouting match that resulted in a short-term cutoff in US military aid and intelligence to Kyiv.

Trump said on Thursday the United States will sign a minerals and natural resources deal with Ukraine shortly and that his efforts to achieve a peace deal for the country were going "pretty well" after his talks this week with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.

Ukraine and the US said this month they had agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources, which Trump sees as a means to pay back the United States for its assistance to Kyiv.