ASEAN Scholars Council Calls for Unity, Moderation and Civilizational Alliances

The Council of ASEAN Scholars, convening under the umbrella of the Muslim World League, held its third session in Kuala Lumpur, where scholars and thought leaders emphasized the need to strengthen Islamic identity, unity, and interfaith cooperation across Southeast Asia.

In a communiqué issued at the close of the session, the Council underscored the importance of preserving the Islamic identity of Southeast Asian Muslims while reinforcing bonds of fraternity and solidarity within the wider Ummah.

Participants highlighted the necessity of promoting Islam’s moderate values and countering both overt and subtle calls to division, whether along sectarian or ideological lines.

They further stressed the importance of coordinating stances among various Islamic schools of thought in addressing shared challenges, particularly the rise of Islamophobia worldwide.

The Council also called for fostering stronger alliances with followers of other religions and cultures to combat hate speech in all its forms, regardless of its source or pretext. Scholars urged nations and communities to work toward building civilizational partnerships and nurturing friendship among peoples, viewing such cooperation as essential for peace and stability.