International Conference in Istanbul Proposes ‘Islamic United Nations’ for Global Peace

An international conference commemorating renowned Turkish Sunni Muslim theologian Bediuzzaman Said Nursi is being held in Istanbul, where Sheikh Ali Muhyiddin al-Qaradaghi, head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, has proposed the creation of an “Islamic United Nations” to promote global peace and security.

Sheikh Qaradaghi made the proposal on Sunday during the opening day of the three-day 13th International Conference on Said Nursi, attended by prominent Islamic scholars from several countries.

He said the proposed organisation could help promote peace and security while providing humanity with an alternative framework for addressing global crises.

According to Qaradaghi, the world is currently facing humanitarian, religious, moral and existential crises, and these challenges are not limited to Muslims but have increasingly become common concerns for people around the world.

“The whole world has become like a village,” he said. “The Muslim nation cannot be separated from humanity as a whole. Our problems are generally common, and their solutions must also be common.”

He called for efforts to find solutions not only to problems facing Muslims but also to challenges confronting humanity as a whole. He argued that Islam has the potential to offer humanitarian solutions to global crises.

Qaradaghi said Muslims should take practical steps to achieve intellectual unity based on the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. He said such unity should also extend to areas including civilisation, science, production, creativity and innovation.

Proposal for an ‘Islamic United Nations’

Among the projects he proposed for the benefit of humanity was the establishment of an “Islamic United Nations” aimed at promoting global peace and security.

Qaradaghi also criticised the existing United Nations system, arguing that it is fundamentally based on racial inequality because only five countries possess veto power while other member states do not have the same authority.

In his lengthy address, he outlined possible approaches and mechanisms for establishing the proposed organisation, including how and through what process it could be created.

He also condemned Israel and its allies over their continuing attacks on Gaza and called for unity among the Muslim community to address global crises.

Conference Focuses on Quranic Solutions

The conference is being held under the theme “Quranic Solutions to Global Crises” and is expected to conclude on Tuesday.

At least 60 countries are represented at the gathering, with Islamic scholars, researchers and intellectuals taking part.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, who died on March 23, 1960, was a prominent Sunni Muslim theologian and the author of Risale-i Nur, an extensive commentary on the Quran comprising more than 6,000 pages.

Nursi advocated combining religious and modern education, supporting the teaching of religious knowledge in general schools and modern sciences in religious schools. He regarded modern science and reason as important tools for addressing the challenges of the future.

The Istanbul conference is bringing together scholars and thinkers to discuss how Quranic teachings and Nursi’s intellectual legacy could be applied to contemporary global challenges.