From 27-29 July 2018, the International Muslim Scholars Conference was held in the city of Mataram, in Lombok, Indonesia. The conference was jointly organised by Al-Azhar Alumni Indonesia (the Indonesian Branch of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates), the League of Middle-Eastern Graduates and the Governorate of West Nusa Tenggara region. The theme of the conference was the ‘Moderation of Islam in the Tradition of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah’.
A high level delegation on behalf of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, attended the conference led by the former President of Al-Azhar University, Shaykh Dr Ibrahim al-Hudhud, and including Professor Abdel-Dayem Nusaer and Mr Ossama Yassin. Keynote attendance was also of the Minister of Defence of Indonesia, General Ryamizard Ryacudu. The conference brought together representatives of Al-Azhar Alumni branches from many countries including the United Kingdom, Libya, India, Japan, and Malaysia, in addition to scholars from across the universities of Indonesia as well as from across the world such as Tunisia, Mauritania, Lebanon, Australia, etc. including the Grand Mufti of Ukraine as well as the Imam of the Shaykh Abdul-Qadir Jilani Mosque of Baghdad.
The conference was hosted by the President of Al-Azhar Alumni Indonesia who is also the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia, Dr. TGB. Muhammad Zainul Majdi. From the United Kingdom, the Vice-President of Al-Azhar Alumni UK and the Vice-Principal of Jamia Al-Karam, Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari, was invited to attend and he participated in this noteworthy conference.
The first two days of the conference were held in the picturesque Islamic Centre Mosque Hubbul Wathan in Mataram city and sessions comprised of various intellectual discourses covering a wide range of scholarly discussions on the theme of the conference. The final day of the conference was to travel to the prestigious Nahdlatul Wathan Diniyah Islamiyah institution outside of Mataram city which has branches across Indonesia and thousands of students studying within its network. The Nahdlatul Wathan is also headed by Dr. TGB. Muhammad Zainul Majdi, and an event was held at the institution which was attended by thousands of individuals from across the country to commemorate and honour the legacy of the founder of Nahdlatul Wathan and grandfather of Dr. TGB. Muhammad Zainul Majdi, the honourable scholar and spiritual master, Maulana Syaikh TGKH. Muhammad Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Pendiri (ra).
During the conference, the Vice-President of Al-Azhar Alumni UK, Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari, had discussions with Dr. TGB. Muhammad Zainul Majdi, and presented the book produced by Al-Azhar Alumni UK on moderation and extremism titled ‘ISIS: State of Ignorance’ and also presented him with the first commentary of the Qur’an to be written in the United Kingdom in English by the President of Al-Azhar Alumni UK, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, titled ‘Qur’an: The Sublime Word’.
Furthermore, Al-Azhar Alumni UK extends condolences and prayers to the people of Lombok, Indonesia, and to its Governor, Dr. TGB. Muhammad Zainul Majdi, on the fatalities and casualties that have occurred during the two severe earthquakes that have hit the region over the past two weeks, the first of which occurred on the morning of the final day of the conference. We pray for the deceased and for the recovery of those injured, and for their livelihoods and homes.
