The "8th Islamic Scholars Meeting,” organized by the Union of Scholars and Madrasahs (ITTIHADUL ULEMA), concluded with a final declaration, addressing critical issues facing the Muslim Ummah.

Scholars from various countries, including Iraq, Iran, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria, and Lebanon, participated in the two-day event.

The meeting's final declaration, presented in Turkish, Arabic, and Kurdish, outlined key points and recommendations for the Islamic scholars and the broader Muslim community.

The 15-point final declaration was read in Turkish by İbrahim Çiçek, in Arabic by Hüseyin Güler and in Kurdish by Mehdi Yalçın.

The full text of the declaration is as follows:

THE FINAL DECLARATION of THE 8TH ISLAMIC SCHOLARS MEETING

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions as well as the believers who follow their path.

With the help of Allah, the "8th Islamic Scholars Meeting", which we have organized at the ITTIHADUL ULEMA Headquarters in Diyarbakir on 15-16 Rabi al-Awwal 1445 /30 September-1 October 2023, concluded with the participation of scholars from many countries and cities.

Below we present to the Islamic scholars and the Ummah the conclusions that emerged after the presentations and discussions at our meeting:

1- In the Holy Quran, Allah (swt) has mentioned the testimony of the scholars just after His testimony and the testimony of the angels. " Allah has borne witness that there is no God but Him - and the angels, and those with knowledge also witness this. He is always standing firm on justice. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Wise." (Surah Ali Imran, 18)

Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made the scholars his heirs: " Indeed the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets do not leave behind Dinar or Dirham. The only legacy of the scholars is knowledge, so whoever takes from it, then he has indeed taken the most able share." (Tirmidhi: 2682)

Accordingly, the main responsibility of the scholar is to always pursue the truth and right, to preach the religion of Allah, to teach the Sunnah of the Prophet and to lead the society in upholding the truth.

2. The adversaries of Islam have formed a unified front in their hostility towards the religion. This hostility has expanded beyond its focus on Muslim nations and communities to the point where it targets individuals indiscriminately, regardless of their gender, age, whether they are men, women, young, or old. In response to this pervasive enmity, Muslims find themselves with no alternative but to come together in unity.

Currently, there is no strategy more crucial than the prevention of Muslim casualties. This objective can only be achieved through the collective solidarity of Muslims. In today's context, no rationale can validate sowing discord among Muslims.

3. Allah (swt) says in the Quran: " Surely, this religion of yours is one religion and I am your Lord, therefore, worship Me (alone)." (Surah Anbiya, 92) and " You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil..." (Al-Imran, 110)

Not only the Ummah, but the whole humanity is being dragged to disaster day by day by the modern unbelief, which excludes divine revelation and rebels against its guidance. There is no one left to raise a voice against this except Muslims. Against the corruption of unbelief, we call on Muslims to unite first their ideas and then all their means. Therefore, they must courageously develop rulings that meet the needs of the century while countering bid’ah (innovations in the religion).

4. The remedy for the current legal breakdown and ethical decline dragging humanity lies in the awakening of Islamic principles. Both the external and internal challenges and threats impeding this Islamic awakening must be addressed. To achieve this objective, extensive consultative gatherings among Muslims, akin to the United Nations General Assembly, need to be arranged.

5. The shutdown of madrasas stands as a significant tragedy for the Islamic Ummah. Islamic scholars are dedicated to revitalizing Islamic education and its crucial institutions—the madrasas, which serve as the primary means to cultivate and shape the minds of Muslims in alignment with the Sunnah. It is imperative to back this initiative and steer clear of any decisions or actions that could impede their efforts or make their work more challenging.

6. Islamic scholars are not only poised to illuminate society but also to fearlessly and lucidly communicate the truth to individuals occupying diverse political, military, or bureaucratic roles. They will serve as exemplars for society, actively opposing injustice and oppression while leading the community toward the path of truth.

7. The Zionist occupation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, a place of profound importance as the initial Qiblah for Muslims and the location of the Prophet's Isra and Miraj, along with its sacred surroundings in Al-Quds al-Sharif, is a consequence of the current challenges faced by the Ummah. The restoration of the Ummah's condition is the key to liberating Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem from Zionist occupation. When the Ummah is united and resilient, the safety of Al Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem is assured, as demonstrated by lessons from Islamic history.

8. The fertile ground that nurtured the conqueror of Jerusalem, Salâhaddin-i Ayyûbî, owes its existence to the efforts of Islamic scholars, such as Imam al-Juwaynī, Abu Ishaq al-Shirazi, and Imam al-Ghazâlî. These scholars not only revived Islamic education but also provided guidance to the Islamic Ummah. Following the conquest of Jerusalem, Saladin embarked on a dual mission. On one front, he wielded his sword in battles against the Third Crusade, while on the other, he established Islamic scientific institutions aimed at applying Islamic knowledge practically. Saladin also prioritized Islamic education and the guidance of the Ummah during this pivotal period.

In today's context, the strategy to liberate Jerusalem from Zionist occupation should center on Islamic education and the enlightenment of the Ummah. Our commitment to education and guidance will cultivate scholars akin to Ghazali, and the groundwork laid by these scholars will play a pivotal role in the eventual reclamation of Jerusalem.

9. With a never-ending ambition to invade, global powers are persistently advancing projects to annihilate the family - the abode of love, peace, shelter, bearing children and preserving the generations. Immorality is an instrument utilized in this demolition scheme. Immorality has caused humanity to be degraded and subjected to servitude. In contemporary times, immorality has transcended its status as a mere individual shortcoming, evolving into a potent political weapon that jeopardizes human freedom. Succumbing to immorality is tantamount to embracing enslavement. Initiatives that actively promote immorality can be seen as adversaries of freedom.

To counteract the global initiatives undermining family, values, and morality, it is crucial to foster communication channels within the Islamic world and globally. International solidarity, led by Muslims, should be forged to stand against the immorality eroding human freedom.

10. Powerful global entities, driven by insatiable greed, seize every opportunity to assert dominance over humanity and subvert the collective will of people. In this context, the latest communication technologies are being exploited to erode the values held dear, especially among women and young individuals.

Throughout history, Muslim women and youth have been pivotal in the resurgence of the Muslim community during various periods. Therefore, Muslims should harness the expanding communication avenues to counter corruption and promote revival. It is essential to use these platforms to enlighten and empower our women and youth.

11. Islam is a system that uniquely recognizes and upholds the rights of women. Any infringement upon these rights within Muslim societies can be attributed to a deviation from Islamic principles.

To reinstate the rightful status of Muslim women, concrete steps should be taken. This includes actively advocating for the right of property inheritance, that Islam grants to women. Furthermore, a comprehensive program for education and guidance must be crafted to ensure that both parents and societal institutions fully comprehend the equilibrium between the rights and responsibilities of each family member. A swift transformation of the education system in this direction is imperative. Developing a strategy to protect and fortify families along these lines is of utmost importance.

12. It is universally acknowledged that our era is aptly termed "the century of information and communication." In the realm of Islam, communication serves as a tool for fostering community bonds and guiding fellow Muslims, and it plays a pivotal role in outreach and inviting non-Muslims to Islam.

We firmly assert that a fundamental responsibility of a Muslim, namely the duty of guidance and invitation, should align with the contemporary age of information and communication, adapting to the prevailing conditions of our time.

13. It is imperative to reclaim excellence in guiding Muslim youth, historically the standard-bearers of Islam. Quality in guidance will set an example. We extend an invitation to scholars, political and military leaders, educators, influencers, and, most importantly, parents to exemplify the principles they wish to instill in Muslim youth. It is crucial to recognize that our integrity and steadfast commitment to truth serve as a guiding light for the younger generation.

14. The same forces that usurped the political rights of the Muslim Kurdish people in the previous two centuries, are today aiming at the dignity of the Muslim Kurdish people. 

Just as the secular world destroyed the political rights that Islam gave to the Kurdish people in the past, today it seeks to destroy the dignity, morality and personality of the Kurdish people.

The honor that the Muslim Kurdish people have gained within Islam—thanks to values such as honesty, courage, loyalty, gallantry, and devotion to honor, as well as the reputation earned through scholars and leaders who have shaped world history—is currently facing a historical threat due to the danger of secularization.

Liberal globalism not only finds the Kurdish people's deprivation of their values insufficient but also demands their engagement in a battle against moral principles. Complex ideological structures are being employed to wage a struggle against the Muslim Kurdish family and the dignity of the Kurd. Promises of granting political rights in exchange for the destruction of values are deceptive and unacceptable.

Preserving the dignity of the Kurdish people is possible by reviving their Islamic values, including honesty, courage, loyalty, gallantry, and devotion to honor, along with fostering pioneering individuals who will once again lead humanity in knowledge and science.

15. Racism, a scourge that goes against the principles of humanity, is the root cause of the Kurdish people's rights being denied. It should not be seen as a path to liberation. The rights of the Kurdish community will not be achieved by compromising human values and seeking approval from global powers but by upholding and championing these universal values and taking a leadership role in advancing humanity. This is the true path to salvation. (ILKHA)