Professor Dr. Ali Muhyiddin Al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, participated in the activities of the International Forum for Strategic Discussion, which was held this year for the first time under the title "Efforts to Build Connection and Trust in the Islamic World" on November 21 and 22, 2024, in Gaziantep, Turkey, at Gaziantep University for Islamic Sciences and Technology.

The forum was attended by a select group of prominent personalities, including: Gaziantep Governor Mr. Kemal Çeber, the city's governor, and the head of Turkish religious affairs Mr. Ali Erbaş, and the Vice President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars Professor Muhammad Gourmaz. In addition to the presence of several other intellectual figures such as the Moroccan philosopher Taha Abdurrahman and the president of the Eastern Youth Forum Mr. Waddah Khanfar.

It is worth noting that Prof. Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi participated in the forum, which is being held for the first time and organized by the aforementioned university in Gaziantep, with a speech in which, after expressing thanks and appreciation to the organizers of the forum, he prayed for the people of Gaza and the victims of Palestine and Lebanon and reminded the attendees of their plight.

Then, in his speech, titled "The Future of Islamic Societies," he stressed that Islamic unity is not just an option, but a religious obligation and is at the core of faith. Just as the discrimination among Muslims is due to the planning of the enemies of Islam whose goal is to disrupt the fabric of Islamic society. Prof. Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi did not forget the victims of Gaza in his statement and again referred to their situation and steadfastness. In his final remarks, he called on everyone to work together, because building Islamic societies requires cooperation and collaboration among all civil and religious institutions.

This type of forum serves as a great platform for envisioning the features of the future, as it brings together a group of thinkers and scholars to search for strategic solutions to confront terrorism and extremism and to restore the role of youth in nation-building. It also proves that unity is not just an unfulfilled dream, but a goal that can be achieved with cooperation and genuine will.