Congress of Leaders of Islamic World

Congress of Leaders of Islamic World The Congress of Leaders of Islamic World is an international forum convening prominent figures from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Nigeria, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan and other states and institutions across the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa. Founded in 2000 under the patronage of Ali Khamenei, the Congress seeks to assemble religious leaders, heads of state, representatives of Al-Azhar University, members of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, scholars from Aligarh Muslim University and delegates from institutions such as International Islamic University Malaysia and Darul Uloom Deoband. The forum is distinct from bodies like the Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, Economic Cooperation Organization and United Nations General Assembly by emphasizing clerical and lay leadership interchange among actors including Ruhollah Khomeini-era institutions, Muslim Brotherhood figures, and reformist and conservative religious authorities.

Background and Purpose

The Congress was initiated amid post-Gulf War geopolitical shifts and debates over identity following events like the Bosnian War, the Kosovo War, and the expansion of NATO influence, drawing support from actors connected to Islamic Revolution of Iran narratives and pan-Islamic discourse promoted by figures tied to Revolutionary Guards policymaking. Its stated purpose includes fostering ties among grand imams, muftis, ayatollahs, and political leaders from the spheres of Sufi orders, Shi'ism, Sunni Islam, Salafi movements and academic circles affiliated with Aligarh Movement. The Congress frames its agenda in relation to international law as debated in forums like the International Court of Justice and multilateral mechanisms including the United Nations Security Council and Non-Aligned Movement.

Membership and Organization

Membership encompasses heads of state such as leaders from Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and representatives from Saudi Arabia-affiliated institutions, alongside religious bodies like Al-Azhar University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Umm al-Qura University, Al-Mustafa International University, and scholarly networks linked to World Assembly of Muslim Youth and Muslim World League. The organizational structure includes a secretariat based in Tehran with coordination through national delegations from capitals such as Riyadh, Ankara, Islamabad, Jakarta, Cairo, Abuja, Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur. Senior clerics from schools connected to Hawza Najaf, Qom Seminary, Al-Azhar, and leaders from socio-religious movements including Tablighi Jamaat, Wahhabism, Deobandi movement, and representatives of Ismailism have participated in steering committees, advisory councils, and working groups aligned with institutions like International Islamic Fiqh Academy.

Meetings and Summits

Summits have been convened periodically in cities such as Tehran, Qom, Mashhad, and elsewhere, often timed alongside events like the Hajj season and academic symposia at University of Tehran and Tarbiat Modares University. Delegations include former presidents and prime ministers with links to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pervez Musharraf, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and diplomats with experience at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Iran), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey), and Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meetings have addressed crises involving Syria, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and counterterrorism frameworks interacting with entities like Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Taliban, Hezbollah, and regional security arrangements such as Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Key Initiatives and Declarations

The Congress has issued declarations endorsing principles resonant with positions of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, calling for support of Palestinian rights as articulated in resolutions parallel to those in the United Nations General Assembly and advocating for coordinated responses to sanctions regimes similar to those levied by the United States Department of the Treasury and European Union. Initiatives include proposals for cultural exchanges with institutions such as King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, development of educational curricula in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University and International Islamic University Islamabad, and launching charitable campaigns alongside Islamic Development Bank and Red Crescent societies from Iranian Red Crescent, Turkish Red Crescent and Jordan Hashemite Charitable Organization. Declarations have addressed legal instruments referencing the Geneva Conventions, humanitarian corridors in conflict zones like Gaza Strip and Aleppo, and public health coordination comparable to efforts by the World Health Organization during epidemics.

Relations with Other International Bodies

The Congress operates in parallel with and sometimes in dialogue with entities such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League, Non-Aligned Movement, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and financial institutions including the Islamic Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund when discussing economic relief measures. It has engaged with think tanks and universities like Brookings Institution, Chatham House, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Al Jazeera Center for Studies, and Centre for Strategic and International Studies through conferences and joint papers. Interactions with regional organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and Economic Cooperation Organization have varied, reflecting shifting diplomatic relations involving actors like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Category:International conferences