Strategy of Islamic Cultural Action in the West

Adopted at the Ninth Islamic Summit Conference held in Doha – State of Qatar, 2000

Chapter Two  : Goals

The Strategy of Islamic Cultural Action in the West addresses the Muslim individual in terms of his personal development, and in terms of his interaction with his fellow Muslims in the host countries. It also addresses the Muslim community in Europe at large, in terms of protecting its peculiar Islamic identity and aspirations.

At the individual level, the strategy aims at building a Muslim personality characterized by the following :

- Deep-rooted faith based on the Islamic creed, including a clear perception of the universe, life and humans all of which defined as translating the supreme power of God, especially the human being whom God favoured and entrusted with the mission of living on earth.

- Observing God’s orders and prohibitions, and adopting the Islamic moral values based on benevolence, truth, justice, and sense of duty, as well as operating within the framework of Sharia. “So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withheld from you” (Al-Hashr, 7).

- Being fully aware of the basic human rights such as life, justice, dignity; and acknowledging these rights for others on  equal footing, without any favoritism or discrimination among humans. The human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, is dignified per se. “We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation” (Al-Isràa, 70).

- Acquiring a solid persona based on pride and open to any positive constructive work relating to both the Muslim community or the host country, so as to benefit humanity.

At the Muslim community level, the strategy aims at consolidating the basic principle characterizing this community in terms of its intellectual, spiritual, social and moral dimensions, through the following objectives :

- To stand by the peculiar Islamic identity characterized by its intellectual and spiritual practical constituents, and to subject it to a collective consciousness reflecting the intellectual background for perceptions, concepts and feelings, around which the Muslim communities in the West revolve, on solid Islamic principles, without ignoring the surrounding environment and modern world which are based on communication in the guiding method of the Holy Quran. “Allah’s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind; no change let there be in the work wrought by Allah. That is the standard Religion” (Ar-Rûm, 30).

-  To Be aware of the elements of Islamic culture, and the civilizational persona of the Islamic nation, together with openness to other cultures so as to consolidate mutual understanding among nations, towards an effective inclusion based on trust, and distant from any form of alienation or dependency.

- To develop a positive image of the self, deriving its impetus from Islamic spirituality which calls for pride, so as to make the others recognize and respect Muslims.

- To consolidate the spirit of solidarity in individuals and groups, based on co-existence, cooperation, complementarity and brotherhood among Muslims who share one faith. “And hold fast altogether, by the rope which Allah stretches out for you. And be not divided among yourselves” (Al-Imràn, 103).