Islamic Council of Zambia a member of Faith to Action Network participated in the Second International Symposium of the General Secretariat and Authorities of Fatwa in the World, held in Cairo on 15–16 December 2025, under the theme:
“Fatwa and the Issues of Human Reality: Towards Rational Ijtihad that Keeps Pace with Contemporary Challenges.”
The symposium was held under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and brought together leading scholars, religious authorities, and intellectuals from across the world.
Participation in the symposium supported efforts to promote sound institutional reasoning and strengthen cooperation between religious and intellectual institutions in addressing contemporary challenges facing the Ummah—particularly the spread of distorted fatwas and extremist interpretations of religious texts. Emphasis was placed on advancing balanced, logical, and context-aware fatwas that respond meaningfully to today’s realities.
During the event, Sheikh Musa Saidi, President of the Islamic Council of Zambia, had the opportunity to engage with senior Islamic scholars and leading authorities in fatwa from different regions, contributing to high-level discussions on faith, reason, and responsibility in religious guidance.
As part of the symposium, the he also chaired and facilitated a workshop titled “Peaceful Coexistence vs. the Misuse of Religious Texts to Fuel Conflict and War.”
Watch his speech here
The workshop brought together Muslim and Christian scholars, including Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant representatives, as well as experts in interfaith dialogue.
Discussions highlighted shared faith values that promote coexistence, moderation, and mutual respect, while critically examining how religious texts are sometimes misused to justify violence, division, and conflict. Participants emphasized the responsibility of religious leaders to counter extremist narratives and foster peace within and across communities.
Drawing on teachings from both the Quran and the Bible, the workshop underscored the importance of wisdom, compassion, and dialogue in engaging religious diversity and addressing global conflicts.
The symposium and workshop provided a meaningful platform for interfaith engagement, shared learning, and renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence, reinforcing the role of faith leaders in promoting understanding, dignity, and harmony in an increasingly complex world.
