KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama-UNA) -- The World Conference of the Muslim World League (MWL) Initiative for Girls' Education in Muslim Societies concluded on Sunday in Islamabad, Pakistan, with the launch of the "Islamabad Declaration on Girls' Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities."
The declaration, supported by senior scholars, Islamic Fiqh academies, and representatives of international organisations, outlined key commitments to ensure that girls' education remains a priority in Muslim societies.
The event also saw the establishment of an international partnership platform described as the "executive arm of the initiative," aimed at driving tangible outcomes through global collaborations, according to the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA).
MWL Secretary-General Sheikh Dr Muhammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa said: “This initiative will, God willing, have a 'tangible impact' through the qualitative agreements signed.
“It will not be a mere temporary call, void declaration, or expression of stance, but it will mark a transformative shift in the advancement of girls' education. Every deprived girl will benefit from it, and every society, in desperate need of its younger generation, both male and female, will rejoice in its success,” he added.
The declaration drew inspiration from historic documents such as the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Document and the "Building Bridges Between Islamic Madhabs" framework, which emphasise the empowerment of women through education in alignment with Islamic teachings.
Scholars unanimously affirmed that education is a legitimate right for all Muslims, regardless of gender, and must not be hindered by age, level, or specialisation.
Participants also addressed the distortion of religious texts used to justify misconceptions or promote outdated customs.
“Such actions represent one of the greatest violations of Sharia,” they stated.
The conference featured representatives from Pakistan’s government and parliament, global advocates such as Malala Yousafzai, and education ministers from Islamic countries.
International bodies signed several agreements, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE), to provide scholarships, training programmes, and capacity-building initiatives for girls.
The conference participants expressed their gratitude to Pakistan’s Prime Minister for his support and to the MWL for its efforts in organising the initiative.
A permanent committee will be established to monitor the implementation of the declaration and its related agreements.
-- BERNAMA-UNA
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