Dr. Ahmad al-Sharkawy: Islamic Identity Rests on Fixed Principles While Achieving Balance with the Variables of the Age
The World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates convened a workshop themed: “The Identity Crisis Among Youth: Between Religious Constants and Contemporary Cultural Shifts“. The workshop was lectured by Dr. Ahmad al-Sharkawy, Head of al-Azhar Institutes Sector, with the participation of 50 international students from Nigeria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Togo, the Philippines, Algeria, Mali and Guinea. This workshop came as part of the efforts exerted by the Organization to instill al-Azhar moderate approach among international students and strengthen their awareness of contemporary intellectual issues.
The workshop is part of a series of scholarly sessions held by the Organization to support the moderation of Islam, to instill al-Azhar thought in the minds of international students and to prepare them to serve as ambassadors of al-Azhar moderate approach in their home countries, in order to strengthen their capacity to deal consciously with intellectual issues and contemporary challenges.
Dr. Ahmad al-Sharkawy affirmed that Islamic identity consists of a set of unchanging constants, explaining that the emerging events and life circumstances are linked to the necessity of achieving a balance between what is fixed and what is variable, in a manner suited to the nature of the age and the conditions in which people currently live.
He explained that Islamic law (Sharia) has established a number of unchanging foundations that achieve balance in human life, contribute to the development and cultivation of the world and establish the rules of coexistence within different communities. He noted that among the most prominent of these foundations are: honor, excellence, dignity, the system of rights and the system of religious obligations.
Al-Sharkawy pointed out that the message of Islam, as the final message, came as a message of peace for all humanity, and that religious rulings are based on evidence and proof; in cases of deception or fraud, responsibility and sin totally fall upon whoever committed them intentionally.
He added that the higher objectives (Maqasid) of Sharia rest on: the preservation of religion, life, intellect, honor and wealth; thus affirming that Sharia was revealed to secure human welfare and protect the stability of societies. He explained that these objectives unite rather than divide, as they call for the establishment of rules of coexistence and the acceptance of diversity within a framework of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The Head of al-Azhar Institutes Sector affirmed that awareness of these principles represents one of the vital means to confront extremist and radical ideas, whether those disseminated by enemies of Islam or those adopted by certain individuals affiliated with Islam who hold extremist or terrorist ideas. He further underlined the need to present a correct understanding of the principles of Islam based on moderation and balance.
In closing the workshop, Dr. Ahmad al-Sharkawy affirmed that the international students joining al-Azhar ash-Sharif are seen as ambassadors of its moderate approach worldwide. He called upon them to bear their responsibility in protecting their home countries from any manifestations of division and discord and to work toward establishing rules of coexistence and spreading the values of tolerance and moderation, thereby reflecting the tolerant message of Islam and the principles of al-Azhar moderate approach.
