Algeria’s President Council of the Nation Abdelkader Bensalah received Muslim World League Chief Muhammad Al-Issa in the capital, Algiers. The two discussed moderation in Islam and extremism hijacking the religion’s reputation with violence and terror that go against its core teachings.
Al-Issa reiterated Islam’s indoctrinated values promoting tolerance and coexistence, and said they stand against forces seeking to distort Islam’s true image.
Later Monday, the Council of the Nation said that the meeting, also attended by the President of the Supreme Islamic Council Bouabdallah Ghulam-Allah, touched upon areas of cooperation and joint coordination.
On that note, President Bensalah presented Algeria's experience in countering terrorism and revealed the historic effort spent to restore peace and stability to his country.
For his part, the MWL chief stressed the importance of rehabilitation programs vetting Islamic scholars, saying they are the first line of defense that can tighten the noose around imposters marring the image of an imam’s journey.
They present a scientific and intellectual fortification that requires sustainability and continuous evaluation against tampering attempts, he said.
Issa’s remarks also stressed the need for high-precision distinguishing when it comes to issuing fatwas, especially when it comes to public affairs.
The MWL also signed a cooperation agreement with the Supreme Islamic Council of Algeria aimed at combating extremist ideology and terrorism, renouncing hate speech and violence, organizing scientific events and encouraging intellectuals and scholars to spread the values of moderation, tolerance and dialogue.
The agreement provides for the establishment of bridges of scientific and cultural cooperation through the exchange of publications, expertise and information.
Following the signing, Issa noted that the agreement also regulates cooperation between the two sides on clarifying the truth in Islam, to confront extremism and terrorism ideology and Islamophobia campaigns.
Many officials from both the MWL and Algeria’s Supreme Islamic Council attended the meetings and the signing.
