Saudi media has reported on a Muslim World League (MWL) conference which concluded on Monday and by issuing criticsms of Israel and calling for the establishment of “chairs for Islamic studies in universities in Muslim-minority countries.” According to a Saudi news report:
The Muslim World League’s international conference in Makkah, “Muslim World League – Reality and Exploring the Future” concluded Monday with a number of announcements calling for constructive dialogue and fair treatment of Muslims. The conferees called on the UN, UNESCO and other organizations to prevent Israel from carrying out its plans to demolish the Al-Aqsa Mosque and confiscate its endowment in order to Judaize its surroundings so that they can build their so-called temple on its ruins. They also denounced the Israeli settlement policy, which targets the existence of the Palestinian people by confiscating their houses and lands and expelling them from their country. In their final communiqué, conferees also stressed the importance of establishing chairs for Islamic studies in universities in Muslim-minority countries in order to advocate the genuine principles of Islam, which call for tolerance, flexibility and moderation. Participants expressed their appreciation for efforts made by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in supporting the organization, sponsoring its activities and for his service to Islam, Muslims and mankind. They said the King’s efforts in these regards are made to achieve stability and peace between people, regardless of their beliefs and cultures. Conferrees also lauded the Muslim World League’s international openness, which they said is fostered by the King’s support and his directive to carry out his initiative for interfaith dialogue, which is helping people throughout the world learn more about Islam. They also called for establishing an international institute at the Muslim World League, to be named after King Abdullah, to train preachers, Imams and muftis from countries with Muslim minorities so that they can guide Muslims in those countries, correct the distorted image of Islam and share facts about Islam and its contributions to mankind. Conferees also stressed the importance of pursuing King Abdullah’s initiative on interfaith dialogue and urged the international community and the world’s people to cooperate and work hand-in-hand to open a new page of positive relations to achieve the common interests of mankind. They also praised the league’s interaction with international organizations, notably the United Nations, in which the league has become an observer in addition to being a member of UNESCO and UNICEF. That interaction, they said, has strengthened the Muslim World League’s international status and enabled it to be awarded the certificate of Messenger of Peace from the UN in 1985. Conferees also touched on the Muslim World League’s efforts to fight terrorism and extremism by disseminating the culture of dialogue and tolerance and directing that Islamic opinion follow the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s Sunnah and understand them according to the understanding of the worthy ancestors. Conferees also deplored attempts by some parties and extremist organizations in Europe to target Muslim women and their veils. They also called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference to approach the European governments and ask them not to put pressure on Muslim women to give up their veil, which was decreed by Allah.
The acknowledgement of the relationship between the Saudi king and the MWL is a notable admission.
The Muslim World League was established in 1962 as a means for the propagation of Saudi “Wahabbi” Islam. Muslim Brothers played an important role in its founding and, to date, the League has been strongly with the Brotherhood. The MWL, together with the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), are Saudi organizations believed by U.S. government officials to have helped to spread Islamic extremism around the world as well as sponsoring terrorism in places such as Bosnia, Israel, and India.