The Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA), in cooperation with the Institutional Communication Secretariat of the Muslim World League, hosted a global Ramadan Forum in Jeddah focusing on media ethics, intellectual dialogue and the promotion of moderation across Islamic societies.
The forum gathered senior scholars, media executives and international representatives from 32 news agencies and 19 countries spanning Europe, South America, Australia, Canada and Africa, reflecting the growing global outreach of Islamic media cooperation initiatives.
Key participants included Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Council of Muslim Scholars Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Assistant Secretary-General for Institutional Communication Abdulwahab Al-Shehri, and officials representing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Prior to the main session, attendees toured a joint exhibition showcasing the development programs, intellectual projects and international initiatives undertaken by the Muslim World League and UNA. The exhibition highlighted efforts to strengthen cultural communication and promote balanced religious discourse globally.
The forum featured documentary presentations reviewing UNA’s institutional activities and the League’s humanitarian, intellectual and cultural programs. Speakers emphasized the importance of combating misinformation, promoting professional journalism and supporting constructive interfaith and intra-faith dialogue.
During the forum, keynote speeches underscored the role of media in shaping public understanding and preventing the spread of hatred and extremist narratives. Participants highlighted that responsible communication is essential for building bridges between communities and civilizations.
A major highlight of the event was the discussion surrounding the book “The Makkah Document: A Message of Moderation and Tolerance to the World – A Global Presence and Civilizational Influence Across Continents.” The publication examines the global impact of the Makkah Document and its contribution to promoting scholarly cooperation and cultural coexistence.
The ceremony also marked the presentation of the first edition of the UNA Award for Media Professionalism to the Palestinian News Agency. The award was received by Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the OIC, Ambassador Hadi Shalabi, recognizing high professional standards in journalism.
In his remarks, Professor Mohammed bin Abdulrab Al-Yami praised the Muslim World League’s transformation into a comprehensive intellectual reference supporting Muslim communities. He stressed that the “Building Bridges” document was prepared through the collective scholarly efforts of leading Islamic thinkers near the Holy Mosque in Makkah.
Al-Yami also commended UNA’s partnership with the Muslim World League, noting that joint programs have strengthened international communication channels and promoted balanced Islamic discourse.
Assistant Secretary-General Abdulwahab bin Mohammed Al-Shehri described the forum as a distinguished Ramadan intellectual gathering that combined scholarly insight with media professionalism. He emphasized the League’s continuing work to correct misconceptions about Islam and promote dialogue among civilizations.
Dr. Al-Issa praised UNA for organizing the forum celebrating the anniversary of the document’s adoption, describing it as a significant scholarly achievement supported by leading Islamic scholars. He expressed appreciation for the leadership of Saudi Arabia, particularly King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their continued support of Islamic cooperation and humanitarian initiatives.
