Final Communique

Resolutions and Recommendations of
The World Islamic Call Society

12^th SessionBamako - Mali 7- 8 Al-Kanoun (December) 1428 BP (1998)

The 12 th session of the World Islamic Call Council was held in Bamako, the capital of Mali, during the period 7-8 Al-Kanoun (December) 1428 BP (1998). The meeting began with the recitation of verses from the Glorious Quran. Dr. Mohammed Samura, Assistant Secretary of the Council, then delivered the inaugural speech on behalf of the members of the Council. He emphasized the importance of Da’wa and the activities carried out during the preceding period in this field throughout the world. He especially made mention of the congregational prayers performed by hundreds of thousands of Muslims led by Brother Col. Muammar Al-Gadhafi, Leader of the World Islamic People's Leadership, in Niamey, Kano and N'djamena. He also mentioned the celebrations held in Al-Zawia Al-Baida, in the Great Jamahiriya to mark the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet. In conclusion, he expressed the gratitude and appreciation of the Council members to the government and people of Mali for the good atmosphere and facilities they provided to the Council to ensure the success of their meeting. Dr. Samoura also expressed the sincere appreciation of the Council for the role played by the Ulamas in Mali in the service of Islamic Call and culture. He also informed the members that the Da’wa programs planned by the Council during its previous sessions were progressing satisfactorily.

Brother Kadi Drami, chairman of the Islamic Progress Union Society of Mali, welcomed the Secretary and members of the council. He highlighted the distinguished role played by the Republic of Mali for many centuries in the dissemination of Islam in West Africa, as well as its continuing good relations with other North African countries. He emphasised in particular, the role played by scores of Ulamas and Mujahideen in the preservation of the Islamic identity in the region despite the infusion of enormous resources by the Christian Missionaries to shake the belief of its people.

Concluding his speech Brother Drami welcomed once again the members of the Council wishing them a pleasant stay among their brothers in Mali. He wished their meeting every success.

The Secretary General of the World Islamic Call Council delivered a speech in which he honoured Brother Alpha Omar Konare, President of the Republic of Mali, for the role he is playing in the service of Islamic culture, not only in Mali but in all of West Africa. He expressed the great respect of the Muslims for the Ulemas of Mali, who dedicated themselves over the years to serve Islam through the Scientific institutions in Tombouctou and elsewhere in Mali.

He expressed his thanks to the members of the Council who undertook the arduous journey to attend this session in order to make their contributions towards the service of the Muslim Ummah. He pointed out that the Council members present formed a quorum, the following being in attendance:

The following members were absent due to unforeseen circumstances:

1. Ibrahim Leghweil - Assistant Secretary, LIBYA

2. Rashid Al Farhan - Assistant Secretary, KUWAIT

3. Taha Abdul Rahman - Rabat University, MOROCCO

4. Taha Al Sabonge - Mufti of Tripoli, LEBANON

5. Haris Silajik - Prime Minister, BOSINA

6. AbdulRahim Amen - Chinese Islamic Association

7. Ahmed Nuh Darving - Philippines Islamic Centre, PHILIPPINES

8. Raja Koutan Lecturer at the University of Ankara, TURKEY

In conclusion, The Secretary General said that Council member Dr. Abdulhakim Tabibi passed away a few months ago. He praised the role played by the late Dr. Tabibi in the service of Muslim Umma through the World Islamic Call Council. The members of the Council decided to make known to the public, the work of members who passed away and to acknowledge their great contributions and Jihad for the sake of the Islamic Umma.

The Council members then discussed the Agenda, which had been adopted.

1. Report of the Executive Committee.
2. Report on the Islamic Call College in Tripoli and its branches.
3. Report on the Islamic College in London.
4. Report on the collective prayers in N'djamena.
5. Report of the Council members on the Da’wa activities in their respective regions.

The Council members reviewed the report of the Executive Committee of the Council on the activities of the General Secretariat for the period following the 11^th. Session of the Council. The Secretary General summarized the main points of the report. After a detailed discussion of the report, the Council members expressed their appreciation and satisfaction for the commendable work carried out by the society in different parts of the world. Based on this report, the members recommended that the translation of the meaning of the Glorious Quran and related Islamic and cultural books into the various local African languages be undertaken. They also noted the deficiency in the report of the activities which truly reflect the tremendous work carried out by the Doat and Ulamas operating under the auspices of the Society.

On the second topic of the agenda, the council members listened to a presentation of the Dean of the College concerning the academic and cultural activities undertaken by the College. In his report he noted the increased enrolment and he explained the method used to select applicants, taking into account factors such as Islamic population density and the needs of Islamic communities. After a comprehensive discussion of the report, it was adopted with certain recommendations. It was suggested that additional efforts should be made towards upgrading the College to University status. Further, admission of female students should be extended and more attention should be paid to studies in comparative religion. Scholarships for scientific specialization, and training courses to qualify more students to fill the needs of the Islamic World for Doat and instructors should be addressed. The Council members expressed their great satisfaction for the establishment of two Islamic Da’wa Colleges in Chad and Niger. They confirmed that these institutions represent an important step forward for Islamic Da’wa in Africa.

A report on the cultural and academic activities of the London College was presented. After a lengthy discussion, the members adopted the report with some recommendations. The Council emphasized the need to broaden the scope of religions studies to improve the training of the Doat since the College was originally established to produce qualified Duaat to operate in western countries. The Council members further requested information on the academic and cultural programs undertaken by the College in order to promote them to the academic circles of their respective countries. The Council members expressed their interest concerning the accreditation of the College diploma in Britain and in other parts of the world. They called for continuing the effort towards universal accreditation taking all necessary steps in the process.

A brief report on the congregational Prayers performed in N'djamena, the capital of Chad, led by Brother Col. Muammar Al-Gadhafi, Leader of the World Islamic People's Leadership was presented. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from different parts of Africa including eight heads of states gathered together for these prayers. They listened to the Friday sermon, which dealt with many important issues, which are documented in the report presented. 2307 People from Chad and neighbouring countries embraced Islam in the presence of the of World Islamic People's Leadership. They uttered the shahadat in a very sacred celebration that was staged for the occasion.

The World Islamic Call Society, thereafter implemented in Friday khutba, the recommendations derived from the Leader's analysis and his discussions of the relevance and importance of Arabic language and Islamic culture in the Muslim world and the African Continent. The world Islamic Call Society also appointed more than 1300 teachers from the sub-Saharan countries and published tens of thousands of text books dealing with various aspects of Islamic culture.

In view of the tremendous effect of the congregational prayers led by Br. Al-Ghadafi on million of Muslims, the Council calls upon the Leader to perform these congregational prayers throughout the world in order to unify the Muslims. The Council looks forward to the prayers in Mali, and calls on Muslims throughout the world to join in them thereby demonstrating Muslim strength in this country from which the glorious history of Islam emanated from the minarets of Tombouctou and others cities.

The Council members commended the intensive Da’wa activities following the two previous prayers performed in Niamey and Kano. They reflected the unity and solidarity of the Muslims and demonstrated the proud heritage and strength of Islam.

The Council members reported in detail and discussed the Da’wa activities in their respective areas including developments in the Islamic World. The reports included programs undertaken by them in pursuit of the recommendations of the General Congress of the Islamic Call Society and in relation to the uniqueness of their respective areas. The reports reflected genuine concern of the members regarding most of the issues of Islamic Da’wa activities and demonstrated their sense of responsibility in the planning and performance of such programs especially concerning threats faced by Muslims. The reports also demonstrated the pride of the members in extolling the virtues of the modern Islamic civilization and highlighting the values, which constitute the principle of the call to Allah. This call through wisdom and sensible preaching is aimed at building a world in which love, justice and fraternity prevail.

The common theme of all the reports presented by brother members may be summarized as follows:

• Development of the media utilizing modern technologies in such a way as to reflect the true picture of Islam and refute the fallacies circulated by the enemies of Islam to distort it.

• Underline the need for Islamic States and organizations to pay special attention to the academic area of Islamic culture especially in Europe and the Americas. This can be achieved by funding chairs for Islamic culture and Arabic language in Western universities after ensuring that procedures are in place to guarantee the success of such programs.

• To continue paying special attention to Islamic minorities, to discuss their problems and to provide the necessary literature to enable them to gain the basic teachings of Islam. This will enable them to educate their children according to Islamic principles.

• Alert all Islamic institutions and organisations to the dangers of the divisive approaches adopted by some Muslims in their call to Islam. These methods are capable of planting the seeds of dissention among Muslims leading to the call, only to a given sect or Tariqa while branding the rest of the Muslims as deviants and infidels.

• More attention should be paid to native languages and translating Islamic literature into them. As a result millions more Muslims who can speak only these languages may be able to understand Islam and learn and appreciate their respective cultures and therefore better able to confront the christianisation movements to which they are subjected.

• The Council emphasized the need for a concerted effort aimed at liberating the Muslim holy places, the most important of which is Al Quds Al-Sharif. The council further calls for resisting all plans and designs aimed at imposing the status quo on the Muslims of Palestine by enacting policies designed to give away this sacred land which instead, should be liberated from the occupiers.

• The Council alerts all Islamic organisations and institutions as well as those individuals working in the field of Islamic Da’wa to the dangerous programs which are aimed at distorting Islam by various ways and means. It also calls attention to the dangerous nature of Zandaga which is trying to corrupt pure Islamic principles thereby denying the true spirit of honouring man and searching for truth and establishing welfare, peace and co-operation.

• The Council, in the name of millions of Muslims expresses its categorical condemnation for the continued embargo on Islamic countries which make it impossible for the citizens of some of them to perform their religious duties thereby affecting negatively, Islamic Da’wa programs. These embargoes also make it impossible for the victimised Islamic countries to maintain close ties with their sisterly Islamic countries within the Islamic world. The Council calls upon Islamic governments to break the unjust embargoes imposed on the Jamahiriya just as the African heads of states did at their summit meeting in Ouagadougou.

The Council expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the African Leaders for adopting a strong assertive position regarding unjust embargoes. The Council reminded Arab and Muslim leaders that submitting to the orders of Allah and his Prophet, calling for brotherhood and solidarity is nobler than kneeling down and submitting to the orders of Satan who tightens boycotts and embargoes on the peoples of the Muslim Umma. "Hast thou not seen those who pretend that they believe in that which is revealed unto thee and that which was revealed before thee, how they would go for judgment (in their disputes) to false deities when they have been ordered to adjure? Satan would mislead them far astray."

The Council expressed its deep appreciation and profound gratitude to the people, President and the government of Mali for their warm reception, kind hospitality and for providing the facilities, which made this conference a success.

Reports