International Conference of Islamic Scholars:
Islam and Civil Society

Statement of Purpose

The struggle for ideological primacy within Islam is a fight that only Muslims themselves can wage, but the moderates are struggling for access to the public square. As Muslims, we cherish the universal human rights freedom and we need to help others who struggle everyday to enjoy those same rights. The proposed conference will provide a forum wherein key Muslim figures can discuss strategies, programs and place to elucidate a modern vision for civil society institutions in Muslim societies everywhere.

Program Goals

The proposed conference provides leading Muslim voices of change their chance to assert the following:

• Islam is a universal faith with a history of tolerance, equality, and multiculteralism.
• Modern day applications of Islamic doctrine are not incompatible with democracy and the development of vibrant, effective civil society institutions.
• Recent political upheavals and historical mistakes allowed extremism to displace tolerant Islam and it is u to the people to reject that trend and reverse it.
• Moderate political, religious and community leaders must collectively and individually provide their societies with progressive, modern interpretations of Islam in order to overcome religious extremism, as well as the overwhelming poverty and oppression that plagues most Muslim societies today.

Institutional Partners

• World Organization for Resource Development and Education (WORDE)
• State Islamic University, Jakarta (UIN)
• Nahdatul Ulama (NU)
• International Conference of Islamic Scholars (ICIS)
• Haqqani Foundation, Indonesia
• Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA)

Sponsors

• Pt. Pelayran Gurita Lintas Samudera, Shipping
• H. Soenarto, Owner
• International Freight Forwarding Pt. Kaliguma Transindo
• H. Ahmed Rizal Tarigan, Owner
• Adzirka, Hajj and Umrah Travel Agency
• H. Ahmaddin Ahmed, Owner