Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects conference; Saudi center to prepare encyclopedia entry on Islamic intellectual community

The Saudi Press Agency said on Friday that Muslim scholars attending the recent "Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects" conference in Makkah have selected the Saudi Defense Ministry's Center for Safeguarding Intellect to conduct a thorough analysis of "The Islamic Intellectual Community" for a future encyclopedia.

The SPA claims that the choice "reflects the center's expertise in intellectual matters aligned with the conference's objectives."

Additionally, three research groups have been allocated tasks that will support upcoming conferences that aim to investigate the intricacies of each Islamic sect, including its branches and beginnings, with the goal of bridging Islamic factions.

According to the SPA, "the comprehensiveness, brevity, breadth, and integrity of Islamic discourse" are highlighted by the Center for Safeguarding Intellect. "This strategy avoids factionalism or exclusion within the sectarian coalition and embodies an Islamic concept of moderation by embracing diversity."

Academics have applauded the center's strategy, especially in avoiding terms that damage Islamic collaboration and comprehension—this is especially important when dealing with challenges like extremism.

The participants in the Makkah conference emphasized the distinctiveness of each school of Islamic thought, but they also emphasized that only a "Islamic intellectual consensus" would allow for a united approach on important topics, such fighting intellectual extremism and sectarianism.

They went on to say that organizations like the Muslim World League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation were established to aid in the development of such a consensus.