Cairo: The State of Qatar actively participated in the 11th International Conference of Egypt's Dar Al Ifta and the General Secretariat for Fatwa Houses and Authorities Worldwide, inaugurated in Cairo for a two-day event under the theme "Family Challenges Amidst Major Transformations: A Fatwa-Based Approach to Protecting the Family, Envisioning its Future, and Preserving Identity".
According to Qatar News Agency, Qatar's delegation was led by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi; Assistant Undersecretary for Islamic Affairs at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Khalid bin Shaheen Al Ghanem; and Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute Dr. Sharifa Al Emadi. Dr. Al Emadi emphasized the critical timing of the conference as Arab and Muslim families navigate rapid changes, making the protection and preservation of identity a vital concern. She highlighted Islam's foundation of family on principles of affection and mercy amidst these changes.
Dr. Al Emadi cautioned against unprecedented challenges affecting societal values and identity, including digital disruptions, declining marriage rates, and rising divorce rates, with statistics showing a high incidence of divorces in the early years of marriage in the Arab region. She elaborated on the Doha International Family Institute's efforts to establish a comprehensive body of research on family issues and its strategic partnership with the Arab League to create practical tools for family awareness, including a new guideline for prospective couples launching on Nov. 4 and 5.
Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, representing the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, noted the importance of examining family issues from a religious perspective and building on previous conferences to engage with global Islamic scholars. He praised the conference's strong scholarly participation and its focus on empowering families through religious teachings.
The conference focuses on enhancing the role of fatwa and religious institutions in family protection, developing guidance tools that integrate Islamic principles with contemporary issues, and anticipating future challenges. It covers topics like marriage and divorce, social transformations, digital impacts, and the preservation of identity, bringing together a diverse array of global religious leaders, academics, and experts.