The Secretary General of the Muslim World League Chairs the Third Session of the Council of Islamic Leadership in North and South America

His Excellency the Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, chaired in Washington, D.C., the third session of the Council of Islamic Leadership in North and South America. The council was established in light of the principles of the “Makkah Charter” following its inaugural conference held in Washington in March 2022, attended by Islamic leaders from both Americas, along with supportive participation in its closing session from U.S. government officials, legislators, and leaders of religious diversity.
At that time, the leaders participating in the founding conference selected Dr. Muhammad Al-Issa as Chairman of the Council, given its foundation upon the “Makkah Charter,” and in appreciation of his call to establish it, as well as his role as a unifying figure accepted by all parties. The Council also includes influential Islamic figures and supporters from outside the Americas, including centers, councils, and organizations with similar objectives.
During the session, several topics proposed by the chairman and members were discussed, including the issue of religious and national identity. Dr. Al-Issa emphasized that there is no contradiction between the two within civilized constitutions and laws that respect religious particularities, and that extremist ideologies are the ones that falsely create such conflict.
He praised the American Muslim community for distancing itself from the agendas of extremist groups, which have reduced the great religion of Islam to narrow political objectives and distorted perceptions through their extremism. He noted that the American Muslim community is a source of pride within the broader Islamic world, having embodied the values of religious moderation through tolerance, coexistence, wisdom, good conduct, and respect for public order and the law. He also expressed appreciation for the community’s active contribution to strengthening social cohesion, as reflected in its distinguished relationships with various segments of a diverse society.
The session also addressed the issue of hatred in general and Islamophobia in particular. His Excellency affirmed that civilized constitutions and laws do not permit practices of hatred, expressing his satisfaction with the active involvement of the Muslim community in confronting voices, slogans, and practices of hate, regardless of their source or the groups, religions, or ethnicities they target.
In addition, a number of Islamic terms were discussed, along with the misconceptions surrounding them, emphasizing the need to correct such misunderstandings. Drawing on international surveys, Dr. Al-Issa reviewed several related terms and presented detailed examples of how they are often misunderstood. He also explained, through scholarly analysis supported by authentic texts and historical narratives, the most effective ways to address these misconceptions.