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Readings of
Makkah Charter
Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)
Readings of
“Makkah Charter”
Publications of the
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)
1 1
TABlE OF CONTENTS
Introduction, H.E. Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ISESCO
5 Director General
Analytic Summary of Makkah Charter: Towards a
civilizational commitment for peace coexistence among
8 nations
Ms. Zineb Iraqi
Makkah Charter: An added value to international law
10 Mr. Abdelkader El-Idrissi
Makkah Charter: A new vision of Islamic guidance in
14 the 15th century A.H. /21st century A.D.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa
Educational views on Makkah Charter
20 Mr. Adel Bouraoui
Makkah Charter: Declaration of the beginning of a
new era of international human cooperation to spread
24 the values of peace, harmony and coexistence”
Dr. El Mahjoub Bensaid
Makkah Charter: A historic constitution that strives to
entrench the values of coexistence and achieve peace
29 and harmony
Mr. Mohamed Ghemari
Makkah Charter: Multidimensional contents
33 Dr. Ahmed Said Bah
Makkah Charter: An insightful cultural treatment to
36 redress imbalances and build a brighter future
Mr. Najib Rhiati
Makkah Charter: Harmony with the general Framework
40 of sustainable development
Dr. Abdelmajid Tribak
45 Annex: Makkah Charter
2 3
INTRODUCTION
Makkah Charter came at an appropriate enrichment of the international human rights
historical moment characterized by the law. Though it is founded on the “Constitution
growing need for renewal in formulating of Medina”, it adds profoundly significant
legal rules, human principles and moral legal dimensions to the principles that, if
values introduced by Islam according to appropriately and consciously applied, may
the most up-to-date legal treatment methods be the stepping stone to steadily advancing
provided for by international conventions human life, and ultimately leading to just
establishing legal systems with international and firmly established peace in a context of
dimensions that chart for the international peaceful civilizational coexistence, human
community the course forward to build fraternity and international cooperation for
world peace and protect human rights on the sake of confirmed collective interest that
the bases of values of justice, equity and benefit all human societies.
equality.
With its underlying theoretical basis
Makkah Charter has laid the foundations and sharia rules and legal principles,
for the system of principles underlying Makkah Charter has great significance as
the new world order that humanity a roadmap to overcome the civilizational
impasse facing humanity at
this critical juncture in world
It is not only a religious document … but
history. It is also a roadmap to a
also a civil, legal, right-based and human stable and peaceful stage where
instrument that aims to find practical means human principles prevail and
to establish harmony among people and dominate the international politics
promote understanding coexistence, and which, in many of its elements
and components, lacks the
dialogue
human spirit, spiritual serenity,
emotional stability and self-
aspires to establish as the bedrock for the contentment, in a climate of innate fraternity
international relations at the present and uniting human beings, mutual respect
future periods to eliminate factors of conflict between world states, meaningful dialogue
which not only rages among cultures, among cultures and civilizations, and deep
civilizations and followers of faiths, but coexistence and perfect harmony among
also exacerbates its risks and magnifies its nations and peoples.
impact on the policies adopted
by the international community,
in clear contravention of the The issues tackled by the Charter from an
Charter of the United Nations Islamic perspective and based on the true
and flagrant violation of the religious notions are among the key questions
Universal Declaration of Human besetting governments and peoples alike
Rights adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in
1948.
This is not only a religious document, in
With its human, legal and sharia dimensions, the common and limited sense that does
the Charter is a valuable addition to the not express the truth of Islam, but also
relevant international instruments and an a civil, legal, right-based and human
4 5
instrument that aims to find practical means security to save humanity from the perils of
to establish harmony among people, and ever-increasing crises and problems.
promote understanding, coexistence and
dialogue. It also allows for eliminating evil The Charter addressed every serious issue
propensities and delusions that blur vision preoccupying the international public
and drive people to destruction; rooting opinion, and provide solutions to it within the
out hatred, racism, racial, religious and context of the holistic vision encompassing
cultural discrimination, fighting all forms both being guided by the noble Islamic
of extremism, fanaticism, sectarianism and teachings and benefiting from the modern
terrorism, both overt and covert. form of international laws with moral and
human rules.
It is obvious that the Makkah Charter,
while being a significant intellectual and Based on all of these principles, the Islamic
cultural achievement of the Muslim World Educational, Scientific and Cultural
League, is in its depth, essence and Organization (ISESCO), being honored
significance a noble deed of the Custodian to adopt this Charter, has studied and
of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin analyzed its contents and deduced the
Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah protect and conclusions in the form of useful and
guide him. This document is inspired by consistent surveys which are mostly analytic
his human civilizational vision and drawn views, intellectual reflections, human
from the effects of his sound leadership of rights reviews, legal treatments and
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which has correct conclusions that all include sound
made of this blessed country a beacon of opinions, constructive ideas and highly
civilizational renaissance; human renewal significant and invaluable conclusions.
and civil modernization in all fields of life ISESCO is pleased to publish this
for the benefit of its citizens and residents documentary book which includes those
and for the Saudi society, in general. studies, surveys and talks to share benefits
The issues tackled by the Charter from and contribute to enlightening public opinion
an Islamic perspective and based on the inside and outside the Islamic world with the
true religious notions are among the key rich contents of the Makkah Charter, hoping
questions besetting governments and that researchers, scholars and persons
peoples alike given their serious impact on concerned with international affairs and all
all. The exacerbation of such issues and the intellectuals and knowledge seekers, will find in
failure to address them soundly undermine it elements that illuminate minds, emancipate
the stability of human communities; prevent brains, stir conscience, motivate good wills
the establishment of world peace and to act each from his position to disseminate
this Charter and its contents.
May Allah guide us to the right path.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik
ISESCO Director General
8 9
“Makkah Charter”:
An added value to international law
Mr. Abdelkader El-Idrissi
Expert at the Cabinet of ISESCO
Director General
It is a suitable framework to get out of the
international crisis of which the exacerbating
aspect include the violation of international
law, breach of relevant conventions, declarations
and covenants.The international laws established since recourse to power, strength and the surplus of
the Peace of Westphalia Treaty signed resources to the detriment of the inalienable
in 1648, which laid down the rules of and inviolable human interests in any
modern international relations, have not whatsoever and under any circumstance,
undergone a deep and influential evolution constant or transitory.
in terms of concepts, significance, visions
The Charter, which deserves to be qualified as
and orientations such as that initiated
historic according to adopted international
by “Makkah Charter” issued by the
standards, brings us face to face with a
International Islamic Conference held by
spectacular development from a legal
the Muslim World League in the last ten
perspective as part of proposed solutions at
days of last Ramadan near the Haram
all levels to respond to the threats emanating
Mosque.
from the exacerbating phenomena of
The principles of human rights have endured extremism, fanaticism and sectarianism; fight
as setback and recourse to the rules of all forms of terrorism; counter waves of
international law declined. Even after hatred, racism, racial, religious and cultural
the establishment the United Nations in discrimination. The issues tackled by the
1945 following the Second World War Charter are of paramount importance for
which created the favorable conditions for they are all profoundly human issues whose
agreement on establishing new rules for spinoffs pose problems to humanity at large.
international relations on the basis of the The repercussions occasioned by the failure
UN Charter which have been frequently to address them in convincing ways and
violated by some great powers which effective methods, pose threats to human
seek to dominate international politics and peace, world security and international
direct it in such a way as to ensure their harmony. In addition, the Charter gets
vital interests and achieve their objectives its legitimacy from two major sources.
which in many cases contradict fairness and The first one was the international Islamic
decency and violate human rights though conference held near Al-Haram Mosque
they claim respect of human rights. which gathered scholars, jurisprudents,
muftis, intellectuals, academicians, and
If we look at the Charter from the perspective holders of wisdom, knowledge, expertise
of political science and international relations and sense of responsibility. The participants
based on adopted academic concepts in are the elite of scholars and intellectuals
specialized colleges, we feel completely who know the truth of things and insights
reassured that the contents of this Charter, about the problems of era and the issues
taking into account the circumstances being preoccupying the world. The second is
undergone by the world, is a suitable that the Charter emanates from the vision
framework to get out of the international of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
crisis of which the exacerbating aspect King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al- Saud, May
include the violation of international law; Allah protect him, who is truly qualified as
breach of relevant conventions, declarations the wise of the Arabs and Muslims in this
and covenants; practice of arrogance, era, the leader entrusted with the holy
intransigence, obstinacy and making lands which are a trust deposited with the
10 11Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Both sources for humanity, promote lofty values, erect
significantly affect the general orientations bridges of love and human harmony,
of the Charter which represent a human counter practices of injustice, aggression,
covenant that lays the foundations of a occupation, violation of the rights of peoples,
new world order that should be based on clash of civilizations, cultural conflicts,
the rules of justice, equity, equality, mutual sectarian strife and fight all forms of hatred.
respect and the principles of human rights; Actually, this Charter has developed
a world that is the hope for humanity new concepts put in phrases with
today and the aspiration of the hearts that profound meanings such as “civilizational
believe in the values of right and principles partnership”, “the uniting commonalties”,
of justice, equity, peace, equality among “the components of the human community”,
people and human fraternity. “the difference between nations in their
beliefs, customs and modes of thinking is
Over four decades, I have been studying
a divine destiny”, “solidarity to stop the
in depth and intensively international
destruction of man and civilization”, “just
agreements, conventions, covenants and
and indivisible value”, “the equation of
declarations, including the UN Charter, the
coexistence”, “comprehensive citizenship”,
Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the
“mutual entitlement”, “redressing the
International Covenant on Civil and Political
civilizational predicament of which terrorism
Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant
is an offspring”, “the origin of religions is one
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
and their laws and methods are diverse”,
(ICESCR), the Charter of Fundamental
“drying up the sources of religious and
Rights of the European Union, UNESCO
ethnic conflict”, “active recognition of the
Charter, the decisions of the International
other”, “the positive national integration”,
Court of Justice, etc. and have never felt
“methodic aberration», “Islamophobia is
emotionally and intellectually comforted as
the result of ignoring the truth of Islam”,
I did when carefully intently read Makkah
“national diversity”, and “just rights”. All of
Charter. As I compared it with all of those
these concepts are such foundational and
instruments, I found out that the Charter is
innovative that there is no equal to them
a highly significant addition which is by
in the sources of international law with
the pure legal standard an added value
their accurately, skillfully and extensively
to the international law that deserves to be
formulated phrases or other ones of
universalized, implemented and inspired
approximate formulation.
from to enact laws. Moreover, it should
be the basis for looking for solutions for These additions, which are filled with
international crises and ways out of the intellectual and legal contents, are put
crises hitting humanity in various parts of forward by Makkah Charter to enrich the
world especially in the Middle East and system of economic, social, cultural, civil and
North Africa. political human rights; initiate a new era of
human rights which failed to be instituted so
This Charter, which we can consider as a
far by international law jurists at this critical
rare constitutive and foundational Charter
moment of human history characterized
in this era that seeks to achieve goodness
by the escalating waves of hatred, racism,defamation of religions, fueling racist If we argue that the notion of added value is
and sectarian trends, the continuous and a modern economic notion, then qualifying
systematic violations of international laws Makkah Charter as an added value
through various means, scrupulous and is neither a preposterous assertion nor
unscrupulous. This is what gives great contravene the nature of things because it
importance to this Charter according to is a constitutive and foundational Charter
scientific, jurisprudence, intellectual and pioneering a new world legal system likely
legal standards. Accordingly, it is at the to mark the dawn of a new age of peace
vanguard of international instruments if and goodness for humanity as a whole.
it is seen from pure legal perspective and
Truly, that is the added value which this historic
given the value it deserves among other
Charter has brought to the international law.
modern constitutive legal and intellectual
instrumentas.
12 13“Makkah Charter”:
A new vision of Islamic guidance
in the 15th century A.H./21st century A.D.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa
Cultural Advisor to
ISESCO Director General
One of the elements of novelty is that the
Charter raises a number of current issues …,
lays down a set of major principlesMakkah Charter, issued by the Muslim ulema body as the party having exclusive
World League (MWL), comes in two parts: competence in religious affairs of the
the first one consists of the preamble and Ummah and stress the Islamic dimension as
the second part includes the articles of the one of its core strengths.
Charter.
The Charter falls within the great principles
of coexistence laid down by the “Constitution
I- PREAMBlE
of Medina”. It puts forward a set of rules
This opening part sets four determinants for and disciplines on the unity of Muslims’
the Charter: legislative source; the inexistence of any
contradictions between its texts; the
1. Honor of the time and venue, importance of balancing between the partial
namely Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the holistic; taking into account the
during the last ten days of contexts; binding orders and prohibitions
Ramadan 1440 A.H.; to the system of interests and mischiefs;
2. Definition of Makkah Charter as considering developments, human realities
an Islamic guidance that draws on and implications; and evoking the human
the “Constitution of Medina”; dimension, the values of mercy, inclusion
and accommodation of difference.
3. Eminent scholars of the Islamic
Ummah are in charge of this Chief among the novel elements that the
Charter, and; Chart brings forward are the current issues
on the question of individual rights and
4. Objectives of the Charter, which
liberties; broad citizenship; empowering
are four: women to hold various offices, including
a) Muslims are part and parcel religious ones; loyalty to the national State;
of the world and they seek strengthening the identity of Muslim youth
to communicate with all its according to five fundamentals; the
civilizational components; importance of taking into consideration the
b) Promoting human values; spatial and temporal conditions in issuing
fatwas and prohibiting the exportation of
c) Building bridges of love and
fatwas in respect of the principle of the
human harmony, and;
sovereignty of States in their legislations
d) Countering practices of and general affairs.
injustice, civilizational clash
and the evils of hatred. Moreover, the Charter distinguishes between
religion, in its supremacy and invariability,
II- ARTIClES and the different types of religiosity in their
variation and limits; raises questions of
In its second part, the Charter stipulates a set concern for the future of humanity relevant
of principles and fundamentals in the form of to the protection of the environment and
Articles covering general principles, pitfalls, the family as the basic nucleus of human
areas of action, working mechanisms, society. These questions are, in fact,
and issues. The last Article designates the new to the Islamic debate and human
14 15interaction. The Charter does not address people. Another principle that results
only the followers of religions, but also the from establishing the principle of diversity
proponents of philosophies, thus enlarging is stipulated in Article 4 which calls for
the scope of dialogue with all on the basis civilizational cooperation and partnership.
of cooperation and love.
Another aspect of religious diversity is that
The Charter lays down a set of major the unity of the source of belief entails the
principles. Article one stipulates the diversity of legislations and lifestyles as
principle of common human character as stipulated in Article 5.
Allah says: [O mankind, indeed We have
As faith has various aspects, the civilizational
created you from male and female and
models are similarly numerous and the
made you peoples and tribes that you
visions are diverse, thus leading to discord
may know one another. Indeed, the
between the followers of these major
most noble of you in the sight of Allah
sources. Therefore, civilizational dialogue
is the most righteous of you. Indeed,
should be adopted as a mechanism for
Allah is Knowing and Acquainted]; the
mutual understanding with the Other as
biography of the Prophet (peace be upon
provided for in Article 6.
him) as evidenced by the Constitution of
Medina; and the biographies of the Rightly Given that religion is one and the source
Guided Caliphs such as the commandment of belief is common, Article 7 stipulates
of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) to his the plurality of the forms of religiosity and
governor of Egypt to apply the same the patterns of belief. Thus, it is necessary
principle, saying: “People are two types: to distinguish between religion and
either a brother to you in religion or a peer religiosity to avoid any confusion that may
to you in creation.” Having established this lead to misinterpretation and ultimately to
holistic principle, Article two sets forth a aberration.
derived principle which rejects superiority
and racism because people are equal Among the mechanisms, manifestations
in creation and humanity. Thus, it is not and benefits of the civilizational dialogue
permitted to breach this principle for any is synergy leading to halt the destruction
racial considerations. of Mankind and civilization stipulated in
Article 8 and laying down the foundations
Furthermore, human equality does not for building alliances on issues that concern
exclude anybody. It is rather enriched the protection of the supreme interests of
through diversity which is a human destiny humanity, including the alliance against
and a divine judgment as provided for in terrorism.
Article 3. Thus, considering diversity as
such, destinies are meant to be lived rather This synergy entails the urgency of enacting
than not fought. Diversity is two types: the necessary legislations to repress any
One which is not man-made, and another violation of the human consensus such as
which is acquired from life and its spatial spreading the culture of hatred and inciting
and temporal conditions surrounding violence, terrorism and conflict as provided
for in Article 9.In Article 10, the Charter confirms the that this phenomenon has two forms:
historical truth, being disrupted by One is accidental due to ignorance of
stereotypes on Islam, of the contribution Islam and its civilization. This form can be
of Muslims to the universal human redressed through increasing knowledge
civilizational building, and their ability to of this religion and the contributions of its
contribute today to finding solutions to civilizations. The other form is pathologic
moral, social and environmental crises and reflects the imbalances, sicknesses
which are threatening humanity amid the and hatred residing inside the Soul, which
devastating globalization. requires a holistic treatment.
In this context, Article 11 stipulates the In Article 16, the Charter defines a number
unity of human values, primarily achieving of moral, social, environmental and familial
justice, which is the basis of civilization, challenges facing humanity as a whole,
the necessity of shaping an international and calls for addressing these challenges
public opinion on these common values which threaten the destiny of humanity and
and the rejection of all forms oppression push it into the unknown.
and superiority.
The Charter addresses these challenges
The Charter further determines the common in Article 17 through raising the question
human areas of cooperation as stipulated of personal or individual liberties which
in Article 12 which urges cooperation to are among the major topics debated
protect the environment. worldwide. It stipulates that these individual
liberties should be governed by some legal,
Article 13 provides for the outcomes of the
constitutional, moral and ethical rules to
principle of rejecting superiority detailed
prevent the destruction of the common
in Article 2 through qualifying the premise
human values and the social systems which
of the clash of civilizations as a modern
took hundreds of years to build and agree
method of spreading hatred; fearing
on.
and aggressing the Other; hegemony in
Earth; and rejection of cooperation and Among the pitfalls associated with the
complementarity among civilizations. above principle are tackled in Article 18
which rejects interference in domestic
As stipulated in Article 14, spreading the
affairs of States and infringement of their
idea of clash and fueling conflict pose
sovereignty on any external pretext that
the risks of destroying all the principles
contradicts the internal natural development,
of human commonalties and the unity of
constants, historical experience, diversity of
human destiny through entrenching hatred
components of each State in keeping its
and fueling conflict inside the same country
social peace.
and among different peoples instead of
achieving coexistence and internal and In Article 19, the Charter provides for
external social cohesion. some of the forms of cooperation which
necessitates inspiring from international
In Article 15, the Charter draws an example
successful models and experiences in
for this hatred with Islamophobia stipulating
combating corruption, linking responsibility
16 17with accountability, rationalizing Article 24 highlights the importance of
consumption, avoiding depletion of assets addressing the causes of public imbalances
and wastage of resources. and social disparities which fuel the
speeches of grievances to justify violence,
In Article 20, the Charter stresses the
terrorism and hatred. These imbalances
importance of immunizing Muslim societies
entail the need for addressing issues
against all forms of infiltration and assigning
the responsibility thereon to educational of hunger, poverty, disease, ignorance
institutions, the body of ulemas, civil society and racial discrimination. The Charter
organizations and all influence platforms in subordinates the treatment of these
order to disseminate moderate Islam which problems to the commitment of competent
Muslim societies have espoused throughout institutions and authorities.
their long history.
One of the new and important issues
The Charter, in Article 21, emphasizes dealt with by the Charter in Article 25 is
another form of cooperation and the necessity of empowering women to
responsibility that should be assumed hold all offices including religious offices
by the international leaders to achieve by preserving her dignity and avoiding
coexistence and make human experience any politicization of her cause or taking
successful in terms of the unity of its goals that as a pretext to interfere in the affairs
and destiny. of States, undermine their sovereignty and
social systems and violate their legislations.
Based on the previous principle, the
Charter stipulates, in Article 22, an idea Accordingly, the Charter, in Article 26,
strongly present in the founding literatures determines the other social categories
and texts of Muslims, namely the question which should be primarily protected and
of broad citizenship as opposed to partial empowered such as children whose rights
citizenship. Each one of them has its own should be protected and ensured.
requirements and rules that should be taken
In Article 27, the Charter moves to
into account without favoring one over the
another social category: young people
other. What may be permitted externally
who are the energy and future of society.
may not be internally. Broad citizenship
Protection of this category, mostly exposed
ensures some rights, but it imposes some
to polarization by the aberrant trends,
duties. Though some issues require human
solidarity, action should be kept within the can be carried out through promoting
limits of laws, legislations and constitutions, the five fundamentals of identity: religion,
and directed to counter any violation of homeland, culture, language and history.
the national consensus in every country. Religion belongs to God and the homeland
Once again, the Charter, in Article 23, is for all; language is a civilizational pot;
criminalizes any aggression against culture is an ethical material and immaterial
sanctities and worship places, and provides belonging; and history is landmarks and
for ensuring the right of access thereto and evidences. Thus, the Charter suggests the
respect of their inviolability. necessity of launching an international
forum for youth affairs.Afterwards, Article 28 stipulates going the way to all pretenders and promoters
beyond formal slogans and focusing on of hatred, violence and terrorism. It bans
efficiency and the positive concrete impact exporting fatwas and requires taking into
in vital issues that concern humanity as a account its spatial and temporal settings.
whole. The Ulema institution is the only party
capable of taking into consideration the
Finally, the Charter reaffirms in Article 29
interests of Muslim people and cooperation
the necessity of limiting the right to speak
with the rest of human peoples for the
on behalf of the Ummah and decide on
benefit of humanity at large.
its affairs to the Ulema institution to bar
18 19Educational views on Makkah Charter
Mr. Adel Bouraoui
Supervisor of the Directorate of
Education at ISESCO
It is a memorandum of understanding in the
comprehensive human and civilizational
sense, as it is a memorandum for Muslims
and humanity as a wholeIf I to borrow modern terms and appellations the educational building of the individual
to name and describe Makkah Charter, I and society to entrench the values of equity,
will describe it as a human memorandum accessibility, efficiency, quality, diversity and
of understanding, not in the technical partnership. These are the same values that
and protocol sense of the Charter that is constitute the ethical and referential context
signed between two cooperating parties, for the desired educational systems as
but in a broader and deeper meaning. It expressed in the Sustainable Development
is a memorandum of understanding in the Goal 4 (SDG4) on education, which aims
comprehensive, human and civilizational to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality
sense. Indeed, it is a memorandum for education and promote lifelong learning
Muslims and humanity as a whole as it opportunities for all.”
assumes the task of reminding people which
Since education in its various disciplines,
is the responsibility of prophets and their
fields and branches is the practical area
heirs from among ulemas, as Allah says:
to implement orientations and principles,
[And remind, for indeed, the reminder
entrench values, develop sound and
benefits the believers.] From an Islamic
positive behavior, Makkah Charter, in
and human perspective, the Charter re-
its different articles, has touched upon
sets solid foundations for coexistence,
different educational fields and disciplines.
understanding and knowing each other
If we look at the contents of Article 6 that
in line with Allah’s saying: [O mankind,
opens with “civilizational dialogue is the
indeed We have created you from male
best way to sound understanding with
and female and made you peoples and
the other”, we notice that it accurately
tribes that you may know one another.
expresses the objectives and outcomes
Indeed, the most noble of you in the
which the Charter seeks to achieve through
sight of Allah is the most righteous of
education, dialogue and peace, while
you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and
Article 12 refers directly to environmental
Acquainted ].
education. In the rest of articles, there
If a careful reader looks at the Charter with are clear references to family education,
the scrutinizing eye of an educator, he will civil education, education on citizenship,
find out that it highlights the educational literacy, adult education, girls and women
dimensions with paramount importance education, preschool education, and
in building bridges of human love and communication and information education.
harmony and countering calls of conflict Field implementation of the educational
and trends of hatred and racial supremacy. dimensions and translation of the lofty
In addition to Article 20 in the Charter principles and values and constructive
which affirms that “the protection of Muslim ideas they contain into remarkable and
societies is the responsibility of educational firm practices in the daily behavior of
institutions through their relevant individuals and groups rely on using three
programmes, teachers and tools”, the main mechanisms.
first five articles in its second page, which
The first mechanism is about awareness-
constitute the principles and theoretical and
raising and publicizing. This is undertaken
preliminary references, are closely linked to
20 21by decision-makers and education officials translated into tangible realities through
in Member States and regional and providing opportunities to people, namely
international organizations with common marginalized groups, to improve their
interests through the organization of direct living conditions. Actually, the initiatives
meetings with senior educational officials and projects of social and economic
to publicize the Charter and call countries empowerment of newly literate women and
to adopt it as a guidance educational girls are a good example of the efficiency
Charter to enrich their national educational of this mechanism in achieving the desired
philosophies and draw on it to develop impact.
their future national policies and integrate
In addition to its comprehensive cultural
its texts in their educational curricula.
and civilizational dimensions, Makkah
The second one educational training. It is Charter touches upon the various elements
implemented at the level of educational of the educational process that build the
staff, namely those who teach human and common human values and strengthen
social subjects at educational levels through the positive behavior among children
workshops and training activities targeting and young people. Therefore, it is an
curricula experts, educational supervisors educational reference Charter which, Allah
and counsellors, and teachers of human willing and through federating efforts of the
and social subjects. parties concerned with education at the
Islamic and international levels, will have
The third mechanisms is direct field action
an important role to play in promoting the
designed for different social categories
system of values in our societies through
through integrated projects where
education.
the educational dimension converges
with the developmental one and the May Allah grant us success and guide us to
values of cooperation, human dignity, the right path.
solidarity, fraternity and compassion areCOEXISTEN
CE
22 23“Makkah Charter”
Declaration of the beginning of a new era of
international human cooperation to spread
the values of peace, harmony and coexistence.”
Dr. El Mahjoub Bensaid
Supervisor of the Centre Information
and Communication at ISESCO
The initiatives included in Makkah Charter
constitute implementable civilizational projects
with human dimensions as it presents to the
world a new Islamic vision based on openness
to the mutations of this era and desire to
contribute to addressing human issuesMakkah Charter is a high-level Charter Arguably, the initiatives included in
issued by experts and wise people in various Makkah Charter constitute implementable
fields of knowledge from the Islamic world civilizational projects with human
rather than ordinary recommendations, dimensions as it presents to the world a new
occasional impressions or interpretations Islamic vision based on openness to the
of aberrant, exclusionary and extremist mutations of this era and desire to contribute
groups. It stands for the voice of wisdom in to addressing human issues which occupy
the Islamic world which should be heard by the attention of the international community,
the West and those who wrongly accuse join the informed international movement
Islam and Muslims. The Charter gains its aiming at promoting the values dialogue,
legal, intellectual and scientific legitimacy understanding, coexistence, harmony
from being endorsed by 1200 scholars and and mutual understanding advocated by
intellectuals who participated in the Islamic our noble religion and preached by all
conference organized by the Muslim World revealed religions.
League (MWL) in Makkah Al-Mukarramah
from 27 to 29 May 2019 on “the Values Hence, His Excellency Director General
of Moderation in the Texts of the Qur’an of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and
and Sunnah” under the patronage of the Cultural Organization (ISESCO) suggested
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King the submission of the Makkah Charter
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. to the General Secretariat of the United
Nations, the High Commissioner for Human
In addition, the Charter is a historical
Rights, the European Parliament and
Charter of great importance that stems
UNESCO, holding international symposia
from the comprehensive and wise vision of
in some international capitals to explain the
the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,
contents of the Charter and establishing an
King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and is inspired
award under the name of “Makkah Charter
from his profound wisdom. Thus, it acts as
a roadmap for joint Islamic action and Award” under the joint supervision of the
determines comprehensively and deeply Muslim World League and ISESCO for the
and with a strategic vision that areas and best country implementing the Charter.
prospects of joint Islamic action. The timing at which the Charter was issued
The Charter constitutes a remarkable has a profound significance and is highly
added value compared to previous symbolic at the Islamic and international
relevant declarations and statements as it levels at a time when the speech of hatred
is a practical, field and optimistic Charter has exacerbated with the invasion of the
instead of being a grieving and lamenting extremist right parties of the political scene in
one. It respects the other and espouses the the European countries resulting in a marked
Islamic wise viewpoint that interacts with the increase of the phenomenon of Islamophobia.
current events and international resolutions The Islamophobia Observatory of the
and declarations relating to the questions Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
of dialogue, coexistence between followers stated that discrimination and bigotry
of religions and respect of cultural and against Muslims reached their highest level
religious diversity and human rights. by the end of 2018.
24 25In this context, we present the following Islam and Muslims among the European
facts: elites and even at the international
level including the academic and
1- Makkah Charter was issued to
intellectual circles. This spread and
promote, open new horizons and
offence is a voluntary breach of the
give considerable momentum to the
rules of international law and a violent
Islamic initiatives aiming to address
blow to the contents of the international
Islamophobia. It has also drawn
instruments of human rights.
a roadmap to a new approach of
transition from the stage of countering 3- The adoption of Makkah Charter
Islamophobia from a defensive position coincided with the time when calls
to adopting a comprehensive and increased inside the United Nations
integrated strategy that transcends the General Assembly and the Council
policy of instant reactions and hinges of Human Rights for instituting a
on an objective vision to the role of new binding international law that is
publicizing the Islamic culture and compatible with the rules of respect for
civilization. The aim being to counter religions to deter and stop the spread
the spinoffs of the phenomenon, of this phenomenon. Furthermore, the
promote relations of partnership and international community has become
cooperation with media institutions and increasingly aware that Islamophobia is
media professionals’ unions outside against the tide of history, international
the Islamic world, contribute to the law and the will of wise men of the
protection of the civil and cultural rights world and constitutes a serious issue
of Muslim minorities in the world and that threatens world peace and security.
supporting them through the promotion This is why the international community
of consultation and coordination with has unanimously called for combating
international civil society organizations this dangerous phenomenon not only
concerned with minorities’ human rights because it targets Muslims and Islam,
and reject racial discrimination, hatred but also because it offends humanity as
and defamation of religions. a whole, fights noble values and ideals
and contradicts the principles of human
2- Makkah Charter was adopted at a time
rights and the rules of international laws.
when defamation of Islam and Muslims
is undertaken in new forms that violate 4- Makkah Charter keeps up with the
the rules of international law governing international interest in religious issues
human rights and the media. This has which has emerged in recent years
resulted in a development of violation inside the United Nations and namely
methods and mechanisms in such a way inside two of its important organs: the
that defamation has moved from books, General Assembly and the Council of
encyclopedias and orientalist studies to Human Rights, the increasing awareness
films, radio and TV programmes and the of the importance of religion in human
Internet. Through these means, the legal rights international law and its position
violations have increased in Western in the UN organs concerned with the
media and strived to distort the image of question. On 11 April 2011, the GeneralAssembly of the United Nations adopted of Muslim countries now attach great
Resolution 65/224 on combating attention to dialogue, middle-stance and
defamation of religions and urged to moderation. In addition, most of them
fight the speech of hatred. The Charter have developed national educational,
has suggested the activation of this cultural, economic, information, security
resolution, which has not yet been done, and intelligence strategies to root out
and laid the appropriate foundations terrorism and protect the youth against
for that calling for enacting legislations fanaticism and extremism and urge
deterring promoters of hatred, inciters them to embrace the values positive
of violence, terrorism and civilizational citizenship and contribute to societal
clash at the Islamic and international development. At the level of Islamic
levels. organizations, His Excellency Secretary
5- Recently some initiatives and decisions General of the Muslim World League
have been taken in Europe to ensure (MWL) made great efforts to publicize
the respect of the rights of minorities and Islam and its universal and human noble
fight hate and defamation of religions. mission among political and religious
These developments strengthen the decision makers in America, Europe,
civilizational options and human rights Russia and Africa. This has contributed
and initiatives the Charter contains. to shake up the negative stereotypes
Among these initiatives, the adoption held by Westerners about Muslim
by the French National Assembly on 9 religious leaderships. In the same vein,
July 2019 of laws against the promotion the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
of hatred speech on internet platforms. (OIC) and ISESCO have started to
Before that, the European Court of Human design several and various action plans,
Rights had taken a ruling considering the programmes, and activities to address
defamation of the Prophet Mohammed Islamophobia through diagnosing its
(PBUH) not being a form of the freedom aspects and dimensions and suggesting
of expression. In addition, civil society solutions to curb it. Moreover, the OIC
institutions concerned with human Conference of Foreign Ministers called
rights and sympathize with the causes upon the United Nations to declare
of immigrants, refugees and religious 15 March as an international day for
minorities in Europe and some fair media countering Islamophobia.
outlets abiding by the international 7- We conclude from the above that the
law on the media and internationally-
contents and orientations of Makkah
recognized media codes of ethics,
Charter will give a new and strong
have started to form a lobby influencing
impetus to ISESCO efforts in its action to
public opinion to counter hatred speech
address Islamophobia, hatred and racial
and disseminate the values of tolerance,
discrimination, redress the stereotypes
fraternity and peace to bar the way to
on Islam and Muslims and defend
extremists from all doctrines and sects.
the civil, cultural, social and religious
6- The Charter came at the right time at the rights of Muslim minorities in Western
level of Islamic world. The governments societies through the implementation of
26 27various field activities based on three the UN resolution on the prohibition of
ISESCO relevant reference Charters: defaming religions in the media and
the Programme of Communicative, defense of the rights of Muslim minorities
Legal and Human Rights Treatment of in Western societies.
Islamophobia, the Reference Framework • Holding regional training sessions on
on the Legal Procedures for Filing the use of new information technologies
Complaints and Grievances against and social media network to raise the
the Promoters of Hate Speech and awareness of African and Arab youth
Racial Discrimination against Muslims, about the dangers of terrorism and
and the School Curriculum for the extremism.
Training of Journalists on Addressing
the Stereotypes on Islam and Muslims in • Organizing training sessions on the
Western Media. techniques of communication with Muslim
youth in Europe to protect them against
Against this backdrop, ISESCO suggested the dangers of extremism and terrorism.
cooperating with the Muslim World League
to implement the following activities in In conclusion, Makkah Charter marks the
2020-2021. beginning of a new era in international
and human cooperation to disseminate the
• Holding an international conference on values of peace, security and coexistence
the legal and human rights treatment of from an Islamic perspective filled with
Islamophobia and ways to put an end to Islam’s legal tenets and open to the
mutual stereotypes in the media. common human values and the principles
• Organizing an international gathering for of international law embodied in the
experts in law and international relations declarations, laws and conventions issued
to explore the best ways to activate by the UN and its specialized agencies.“Makkah Charter”
A historic constitution that strives to entrench the values of
coexistence and achieve peace and harmony.
Mr. Mohamed Ghemari
Director of the Secretariat of the Executive
Council, General Conference and Specialized
Ministerial Conferences at ISESCO
With its moral and spiritual values, it is a
promising document that brings hope to
people, and blocks the way for the propagators
of racial conflict, nationalism, fanaticism,
extremism and zealotry.
28 29The Conference of Makkah Al-Mukarramah creation of humankind in different peoples
was held in the most sacred place in the and tribes, and that the interest of people is
world: Makkah Al-Mukarramah and in in meeting and knowing each other.
the vicinity of Holy Kaaba, during the
At the same time, the Charter bears
blessed month of Ramadan, under the high
some key signals which are linked to part
patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy
of the Islamic world that incites racial
Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al
discrimination and incessantly spreads
Saud, and with the participation of more
anarchy and instability around it. Such
than 1200 prominent Islamic scholars
mindsets stray away from the essence of the
and intellectuals from the Islamic world
Islamic religious and spiritual management
representing 27 Islamic components of
which urges people to cooperate in
various sects and schools of thought.
righteousness and piety instead of sin and
Makkah Charter is a historic constitution that
rancor.
strives to entrench the values of coexistence
among the followers of religions, as well as The Charter stresses the importance of
among cultures, races, doctrines and sects countering the dangers of extremism
in Islamic countries and achieve peace and wrongly ascribed to Islam by many
harmony among all the components of the enemies of Islam and the necessity of
human community. fighting Islamophobia and the causes of
hatred levelled against Islam and Muslims
With its moral and spiritual values, it is a
which emanate from wrong and sole-
promising document that brings hope
source pieces of information that still need
to people, and blocks the way for the
examination and treatment within the
propagators of racial conflict, nationalism,
framework of wisdom reasoning, dialogue
fanaticism, extremism and zealotry.
and good counselling.
Makkah Charter bears an enlightened
This thorough document emphasizes
vision characterized by self-assessment and
the importance of interfaith dialogue,
truth-telling in order to initiate reconstruction.
determining mechanisms of communication,
It seeks to attain spiritual and emotional
understanding, cooperation, coexistence
understanding within the Islamic world
and integration in a religiously diverse
to stave off strife, anchor harmony and
world order.
ultimately foster solidarity between the
Islamic countries and the rest of world. It emanates from the Islamic spirit and bears
much optimism as it affirms the human and
Makkah Charter discerningly builds
universal message of Islam, which does not
on old Arab Islamic civilization, which
discriminate between religions, races, colors
opened the doors of ijtihad and renewal
in care and assistance. The Charter is also
and encompassed numerous non-Muslims
characterized by comprehensiveness and
leading figures of thought and science.
diversity and bears concrete initiatives that
Hence, the Charter is a pioneering
would not end up tossed aside or archived,
document that forges ahead towards
as they are practical ones intended to
gaining wider exposure as its producers
achieve welfare for all.
realized that the wisdom of Allah lies in theIn addition, it is a historic constitution that and xenophobia as an aspect of isolation
strives to entrench the values of coexistence and supremacy that emanates from racist
between religions, cultures, races and tendencies and negative cultural hegemony.
doctrines in Muslim countries and achieve It also warned that the phenomenon of
peace, harmony between the components Islamophobia is the result of ignorance of
of society. the true nature of Islam, its civilizational
innovation and noble goals. Moreover, it
The Charter affirms that Muslims are
stresses the importance of “establishing
integral part of this world in its civilizational
an international forum on youth affairs” to
interaction. They seek to communicate
deal with youth issues, adopt, inter alia,
with all of its other components to benefit
a communication programme involving
of humanity, promote its lofty values, build
constructive youth dialogue within and
bridges of human love and harmony and
outside the Islamic world. The forum will
counter practices of injustice, civilizational
aim to compensate for the lack of such
clash, and the evils of hatred.
dialogue and for its negative consequences;
Furthermore, the Charter calls for stop advancing theoretical decisions,
civilizational dialogue as the best way initiatives and programmes, especially
to establish sound dialogue with the those regarding the establishment of world
Other, recognizing the commonalties we peace and security; and condemn methods
share with him, overcome the hinders of of genocide, ethnic cleansing, forced
coexistence and relevant problems. displacement, human trafficking and illegal
abortion.
Moreover, the Charter called for enacting
legislations ensuring sanctions against the The Charter reaffirms the principles of
promoters of hatred and inciters of violence legitimate empowerment of women and
and civilizational clash, while affirming that rejection of marginalizing their roles and
this is the appropriate method to root out undermining their opportunities in the
the causes of ethnic and religious conflict. religious, scientific, political, social, and
Moreover, it condemns attacks on places other affairs, to enable them to hold the
of worship and called for fighting terrorism, deserved positions without discrimination
injustice and oppression, rejecting the and enjoy equality in wages and
exploitation of peoples’ resources and the opportunities. It further calls for providing
violation of human rights stressing that this health and educational care for children;
is the duty of all without distinction. promoting the identity of Muslim youth
on the following five pillars: religion,
In the same vein, the Charter emphasizes homeland, culture, history and language;
the role of Muslims in enriching the human and protecting it against attempts of
civilization with a unique rich experience exclusion, and voluntary or involuntary
and highlights their ability today to bring to assimilation.
it the positive contributions humanity needs.
Furthermore, the Charter calls for non-
Makkah Charter considers the premise of interference in countries’ affairs under any
civilizational clash, calls for confrontation pretext whatsoever no matter how good
30 31it may be. It considers “unacceptable Makkah Charter heralds a new dawn filled
violation” such interference, especially with welfare not only for the Islamic world,
the methods of political hegemony with its but for the whole world as well… A dawn
economic and other intentions or attempts for humanity where the values love, middle
to impose fatwas on them irrespective of stance, moderation and respect of the
their local conditions and special objectives Other will prevail.
unless justified by the best interest. Is it a
The Charter highlights the importance of the
fateful or an objective coincidence that
spiritual reference of the Islamic world, the
a Charter is launched from Makkah Al-
blessed city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah in
Mukarramah to call for promoting the
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that hosts the
thought and proposal of civilizational
Qibla of Islam and Muslims and the source
dialogue as the best way at a time when the
of enlightenment for the whole world. It
voices of extremist and hard-line right are
also shows the outstanding merits of the
rising in Europe after the recent legislative
Kingdom’s political leadership and the
elections?
invaluable services it provides for Islam,
Since the Charter is issued with this vision Muslims and humanity at large.
and unprecedented unanimity from
Makkah Charter highlights the role being
Makkah, the beating heart of the Islamic
played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
world, nobody can outbid it. Indeed, it is
under the leadership of Custodian of the
an honest call to stop the speech of racism
Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin
and hatred whatever its source and excuse.
Abdulaziz al Saud, may Allah protect him,
The Charter is a call for listening to the to reaffirm the enlightenment fundaments
voice of wisdom and reason, accepting espoused by the Kingdom towards a more
the notions of tolerance and moderation tolerant and reconciling world, a world that
and promoting the culture of consensus, redeems to the noble Islam the values of
reconciliation and working on the Islamic middle stance and moderation, respect of
and human commonalities. the Other and creative human coexistence.“Makkah Charter”
Multidimensional contents
Dr. Ahmed Said Bah
Director of External Relations
and Cooperation at ISESCO
The Charter came to define notions; correct
visions and outline pathways with a spirit of
middle stance, moderation, equity and justice.
32 33Makkah Charter represents a turning “alliance of civilizations or dialogue of
point in the course of building the basic cultures”. Actually, it is a fully-fledged
references of the Ummah as it contains human initiative that deserves to be
several conceptual, thematic and systemic launched at the highest levels. Likewise, the
dimensions which make of it a comprehensive notion of “safe coexistence” stipulated in
framework for reforming the current situation Article 21 is an advanced step to control
of the Ummah, redressing its future orientation the mechanisms of such coexistence and
and firmly establishing its positions towards manage it through conferring the quality
the other. What gives more significance to of “safety” to coexistence instead of simply
the Charter is that it was issued at the vicinity accepting the common degree of human
of the Blessed Kaaba, the Qibla of Muslims, coexistence. This quality is in fact mentioned
and in the month of the Noble Ramadan. This in the Holy Quran in the contexts of peace,
further promotes the textual and the symbolic serenity and tranquility.
dimension of the Charter.
We notice, after having carefully read the The executive
dimension:
Charter, that it is characterized by three
important dimensions. Actually, we believe
that no other similar Charter was able to The Charter does not content itself with
bring together the following number of suggesting views, presenting ideas or
dimensions: studying issues, but it proposes practical
mechanisms and field tools to implement
The foundational this Charter, namely “the International
dimension: Youth Forum” stipulated in Article 27.
There is no doubt that the choice of
The Charter focused on the foundational youth emanates from a sound grasp of
notions of the comprehensive Islamic the relevance of the role of youth in the
action. Accordingly, it sought to firmly evolution of societies, the necessity of
establish the bases for the management instituting the rules of peace and security
of public affairs and entrench the values and promoting societal development in
of middle-stance and moderation. Hence, general. It’s obvious that a well-informed
an integrated conceptual system has been reader and alert analyst of the situation of
established to cover all of the theoretical the Ummah will notice that young people
and practical aspects of the Ummah’s issues are the victims of the present and at the
in such a way as to guarantee its interests same time the hope of the future, and that
and objectives and highlight its position. their participation in implementing the
The notion of “the positive civilizational orientations of the Charter provides strong
partnership” mentioned in Article 4 of the guaranties to move forward to ensure the
Charter is the best example of this new success of its implementation instead of
course that is charted for the Ummah. This remaining a theoretical and framework
notion constitutes a qualitative addition Charter that does not affect in any way
if not a giant step beyond the notion of reality or direct the course of society.You can also read
