International Symposium on Islamic Thought Emphasizes the Need for Intellectual Renewal in the Muslim World

The final communiqué underscored the necessity of revisiting and reconstructing Islamic thought by drawing upon intellectual heritage, engaging with modern sciences and philosophy, and utilizing technology and artificial intelligence as effective tools to address contemporary challenges facing the Islamic world and humanity.

The statement highlighted that Islamic thought is rooted in two fundamental sources—divine and human—and stressed that the modern Western civilization, being one-dimensional and reliant on postmodern frameworks, fails to provide a comprehensive explanation of existence. In contrast, Islamic thought remains a viable intellectual system capable of offering holistic interpretations and hope for humanity.

The symposium called on the Muslim world to confront its internal realities, recognizing both strengths and weaknesses, and emphasized that merely transmitting past heritage is insufficient to solve present and future problems. Instead, Islamic thought must engage with contemporary methodologies, innovate new approaches, and provide universal strategies and practical solutions not only for Muslim societies but for all of humanity.

A significant portion of the communiqué addressed the role of science, cosmology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. It urged Muslims to cultivate scientific inquiry and integrate traditional and modern disciplines—including philosophy, mysticism, social sciences, and linguistic studies—into a unified framework that speaks both locally and globally. The statement warned against reducing Islamic thought to narrow sectarian or ideological boundaries, advocating instead for a comprehensive evaluation of diverse schools and philosophies.
On technology and artificial intelligence, the symposium stressed the urgent need for the Muslim community to develop indigenous, reliable, and secure AI systems tailored to Islamic contexts. Current AI platforms, it noted, lack training by qualified Islamic scholars and therefore cannot serve as trustworthy carriers of divine knowledge. Building authentic AI tools was deemed essential to prevent distortion and misinformation.
The communiqué also addressed geopolitical realities, urging Islamic thought to redefine its role in the global order and to contribute meaningfully to pressing issues such as Palestine, which it described as not only a Muslim concern but a universal human cause. It called for serious research and strategic proposals to support liberation efforts and to provide hope for oppressed peoples worldwide.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted the erosion of family values under secular modernity, noting that marriage has lost much of its sacredness and stability, becoming a contractual, individualistic arrangement. It called for institutional, educational, economic, and social measures to counter this trend.
Finally, the symposium warned against both extremist and overly liberal approaches that threaten Islamic thought, and emphasized that global poverty and socio-economic crises stem not from resource scarcity but from structural injustice in production and distribution. It concluded by calling for critical reason, contemporary ijtihad, and renewed confidence in Islamic intellectual heritage as foundations for building a just and humane future.