Muhammad al-Isa

Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa (; born 9 June 1965) is a Saudi Arabian religious leader, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and former Saudi Minister of Justice.

He also serves as the chairman of the Centre for Responsible Leadership, a body of government, faith, media, business, and community leaders working together to solve the challenges facing humanity.

Al-Issa is considered a leading global voice on moderate Islam as well as a key figure in the fight against extremist ideology. Religious leaders and government officials alike have commended Al-Issa for his efforts to promote moderation, and cooperation and coexistence among all people.

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York referred to Al-Issa as the "most eloquent spokesperson in the Islamic world for reconciliation and friendship among the religions of the world." In a historic meeting with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell Nelson stated to Al-Issa, "You are a peacemaker. You are a bridge builder. And we need more leaders like you." The American Jewish Committee has called Al-Issa "the most powerful voice in the Muslim world promoting moderate Islam." Elan Carr, former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, said Al-Issa "has chosen a future of tolerance and affection, where Jews and Christians can be embraced by their Muslim brethren.”

Ndileka Mandela, granddaughter of Noble laureate Nelson Mandela and head of the Thembekile Mandela Foundation, has praised Dr Al-Issa as a "remarkable voice for Muslim tolerance and moderation". Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called Al-Issa a “global voice for interfaith dialogue, and a leader in the fight against extremism and hate, his work continues to bring people together across faiths and cultures”.

In 2025, Al-Issa was selected by the United Nations to serve as the in-person speaker at the United Nations first official commemoration of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In 2026, the Time magazine highlighted Al-Issa's efforts in combating religious hatred through his leadership of the MWL. The magazine noted that Al-Issa has “spent years dedicated to what he calls “preventive peace"—the idea that the time to bridge divides is before the fighting starts”.

Early life and education Al-Issa was born in Riyadh on June 10, 1965. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Later, he received a master's degree and then a PhD degree in Comparative Judicial Studies as well as in Studies in General Law and Constitutional Law from the university's higher institute of the judiciary.

Career After graduation, Al-Issa began to work at Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University as a faculty member.

On February 14, 2009, he was appointed the Minister of Justice in the Saudi cabinet, replacing Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Sheikh who had been in office since 1992. The appointment of Al-Issa as the minister of justice was part of King Abdullah's reforms' initiatives.

As the justice minister, Al-Issa oversaw key reforms in several areas, including legislative reforms in family matters, humanitarian cases, and for the rights of women.

Al-Issa was appointed Secretary General of the Muslim World League on August 4, 2016.

Views Issa argued in a lecture at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh in 2012 that Salafism was only an approach and that it should not be viewed as Islam. He further emphasized that the Salafi approach was moderate and meant following and obeying the ancestors' belief and values in regard to the understanding of Islam.

Issa acknowledges the horror of the Holocaust and denounced the efforts of Holocaust denial. He advocates for Muslim immigrants to Western countries to integrate socially.

In January 2020, he led a delegation to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, to mark the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation from Nazis. In a speech on how Muslims and Jews can work together, Al-Issa stated that the Muslim World League is proud to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the Jewish community to build better understanding, respect and harmony.

In February 2020, Al-Issa led a delegation of Islamic scholars to visit Srebrenica in Bosnia to pay respect at the Srebrenica-Potocari Genocide Memorial Centre.

Issa is opposed to political Islam, saying that it does not reflect the true values of Islam and that Muslims in non-Muslim countries should respect the values of their nation of residence.

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy documented MWL's post-2016 trajectory in a 2019 policy paper, concluding that the organization had been directed toward 'moderate Islam' under Al-Issa's leadership. The U.S. Department of State's 2019 Country Reports on Terrorism cited Al-Issa specifically for pressing 'a message of interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence with global religious authorities'.

Honors

Hajj sermon, 2022 In July 2022, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud appointed Dr Al-Issa the Khateeb of Hajj 1443 Hijri to deliver the hajj sermon from the pulpit of Masjid Nimra. The Hajj is the largest gathering of Muslims in the world and Dr Al-Issa used the opportunity to advocate a moderate message of Islam promoting harmony and compassion.

He called on Muslims to avoid all that leads to "dissent, animosity, or division" and stressed that "our interactions are dominated by harmony and compassion”. His address further asked Muslims "not to give any mind to those who are insolent, have ulterior motives, or seek to obstruct him" in a bid to promote tolerance and understanding. Dr Al-Issa underscored that Islam had an encompassing spirit whose goodness extended to all of humanity

Initiatives

Auschwitz visit alt=MWL General Secretary Dr Issa leads a delegation of Muslim leaders to Auschwitz Memorial in January 2020. Dr Issa leads a delegation of Muslim leaders to Auschwitz Memorial in January 2020. As the head of the MWL and a key Muslim voice for interfaith peace and coexistence, Dr Al-Issa collaborated with the American Jewish Committee (AJC) to lead an historic delegation of senior Muslim scholars and leaders to the Auschwitz concentration camp in January 2020. The delegation consisted of 62 Muslims, including 25 prominent religious leaders, from 28 countries.

The visit aimed at condemning the atrocities carried out against the Jews during the World War II and expressing solidarity in standing against oppressors. AJC CEO David Harris said Dr Al-Issa's visit was the “most senior Islamic leadership delegation to ever visit Auschwitz or any Nazi German death camp”. Harris called the visit a "direct rebuttal to the extremists who threaten us all".

In the same month, Al-Issa and MWL signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the American Jewish Committee (AJC) to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia and deepen Muslim-Jewish ties.

Dr Al-Issa led a similar delegation to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum again in January 2022.

Bloomberg has commended Al-Issa's sustained work against antisemitism and Holocaust denial. The Bloomberg said Al-Issa had “for years has advocated against antisemitism and Holocaust denial and led the most prominent Islamic delegation to Auschwitz".

Forum on Common Values among Religious Followers

Under Al-Issa's guidance, MWL arranged a discussion and debate forum in Riyadh in May 2022 titled "Forum on Common Values among Religious Followers" that brought together senior Muslim scholars and leaders as well as leadership and scholars of other religions from across the world.

The forum was a key initiative in bringing leadership and followers of various religions together to discuss, appreciate and promote values that bind all religions. Combining common religious principles and international conventions, the forum issued a declaration of “Common Human Values” wherein participants agreed to affirm the centrality of religion in every civilization due to its influence in “shaping the ideas of human societies”.

The participants shunned denounced the idea of an 'inevitable clash of civilizations' due to religious issues. The forum underscored that attempts to gain religious, cultural, political and economic advantages without respect for rights or ethics, and through forms of extremism, arrogance and racism, must be opposed. One of the key successes of the forum was religious leaders agreeing that it was uncalled for to link religion and malpractices of some of its followers, and that religion must not be employed for worldly purposes.

The event was hailed as a landmark gathering of religious leadership from around the world and crucial to scaling efforts for peacebuilding and interfaith harmony. It was also cited as an effective initiative for engaging conflict parties, addressing grievances, and promote understanding on both sides of the political and religious divides.

Forum of Iraqi References Al-Issa was also instrumental in arranging an historic gathering of Iraqi religious leadership in the holy city of Makkah that aimed at promoting greater understanding and initiating comprehensive dialogue between the differing adherents of Islam. Named "Forum of Iraqi References", the August 2021 event focused on discussing and developing frameworks on the roles of scholars in combatting sectarianism and religious extremism, promoting intra-faith coexistence, and providing support to Iraqi government efforts to achieve a lasting peace. At the end of the conference, participants agreed to denounce sectarianism and urged coexistence, moderation, mutual respect and tolerance. They also called for “opening constructive dialogue channels” among the clerics to deal with various issues.

Conference on the Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan In June 2021, Al-Issa and the Muslim World League spearheaded a meeting of religious and political leadership from Afghanistan and Pakistan in the holy city of Makkah that devised a roadmap for attaining lasting peace in the war-torn country.

Following a full-day conference, an accord was signed that defined religious parameters to achieve a just and comprehensive peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan in line with Islamic principles.

Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, then federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony in Pakistan, and Mohammad Qasim Halimi, then minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs of Afghanistan, signed the agreement.

Al-Issa had said that the conference had highlighted the strong resolve "of our brothers in the meeting to advance peace in Afghanistan".

The Charter of Makkah The Charter of Makkah, endorsed in May 2019, was an effort led by the Muslim World League under Dr Al-Issa. The Charter was formulated to create a pan-Islamic set of principles that support anti-extremism, religious and cultural diversity, tolerance and legislation against hate and violence.

The document was declared at the end of the four-day conference organized by the Muslim World League in Makkah. It was approved by Islamic leaders of 139 countries and signed by around 1,200 prominent Muslim figures.

At the conference, more than 1,000 religious scholars representing 128 countries discussed ways to come up with a comprehensive plan to address sectarianism and extremism within Islam, and stressed the need to create effective channels of communication between the different schools of Islam.

Columbia University Interfaith Research Lab In 2022, Al-Issa and the Muslim World League provided funding to establish the International Interfaith Research Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University. The launch included participation by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and Rabbi Arthur Schneier.

Faith For Our Planet Al-Issa is the founder and chairman of Faith for Our Planet (FFOP), a global interfaith climate coalition of environmentalists, religious leaders bureaucrats, politicians, and researchers. Launched in 2022, its aim is to mobilize the influence of faith and faith leaders to address the increasing threat to the planet posed by climate change. Through FFOP, Dr Al-Issa envisions providing the world with an influential platform where faiths, faith leaders and faith communities can come together to find ways for climate change mitigation and for preservation of our planet.

Training Workshops Since June 2022, FFOP has initiated a series of workshops aimed at engaging religious and community leaders in addressing climate change and environmental degradation. These workshops have been held in cities such as Islamabad, London, Banjul, Dhaka, and Kigali, training over 250 diverse stakeholders to lead faith-based climate action in their communities.

Youth Interfaith Fellowship on Climate Change In January 2023, FFOP launched the world's first-ever global Youth Interfaith Fellowship on Climate Change in partnership with the Duke Divinity School. The fellowship, offered on an annual basis, is a fully funded residential program focusing on vocational training and capacity building for impact-driven faith-based climate action. NewsTalk Florida called it a “flagship initiative”, adding that it would help “thirty young leaders find solutions to the world's most pressing climate concerns over an intense one-week program".

FFOP at UNGA In September 2023, FFOP hosted its flagship event, “Faith in Her”, during the 78th session of the UNGA in New York. The event aimed to highlight the role of women in faith in climate leadership, existing systemic barriers to their participation, and how and why these barriers must be overcome. Over 75 representatives from FBOs, civil society, and environmental organizations were in attendance. Faith in Her culminated in the FFOP Declaration of Inclusivity — a series of recommendations for faith institutions and FBOs to build capacity for women of faith, particularly women of color and in the Global South, to participate in climate leadership and negotiations. The Declaration was inspired in spirit and structure by the MWL's Charter of Makkah.

FFOP at COP28 FFOP hosted a side event at the first-of-its-kind Faith Pavilion at COP8 in Dubai, UAE in December 2023. The event focused on how religious giving can potentially unlock substantial resources exceeding a trillion dollars to bridge the global climate financing gap. A report on the theme of religious philanthropy was also launched at this platform, produced by FFOP in partnership with the Duke Divinity School at Duke University, USA. Over 50 faith leaders, policymakers and youth representatives from across the globe attended the event, which was also live streamed on the Faith Pavilion's official YouTube channel.

FFOP at COP 29 Faith for Our Planet (FFOP) hosted a discussion at the United Nations COP29's Faith Pavilion titled “Climate Action as a Conflict Resolution Tool within Multi-Faith Communities”. The session discussed how communities could bridge interfaith divides by addressing shared environmental challenges, and working collaboratively.

International Religious Forum 2022 In March 2022, Dr Al-Issa delivered the opening address at the Global Faith Forum 2022, hosted by three states known as significant centers of the Evangelical community in the United States: Texas, Kansas, and Maryland. At this gathering, the Secretary-General of the MWL introduced the Charter of Makkah and highlighted the need to overcome differences in the pursuit of progress. Following the Forum, Dr Al-Issa held meetings with various Evangelical leaders from the host states.

Kazakhstan Conference of Religious Leaders 2022 In September 2022, Dr Al-Issa was invited by the President of Kazakhstan to deliver a keynote address at the Kazakhstan Conference of Religious Leaders, in the presence of esteemed guests including Pope Francis.

R20 Summit 2022 In November 2022, Dr Al-Issa collaborated with His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, and Yahya Cholil Staquf, General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (Indonesian Ulema Council) to convene an inaugural gathering of religious leaders in Bali, Indonesia.

Founded by the MWL and the Nahdlatul Ulama, the R20 platform was adopted as the first official engagement group on religion in the G20, making the R20 Summit the first religious gathering of its kind. The two-day event brought together more than 400 participants, including 160 inter-religious figures from 20 of the world's largest economies, to discuss contemporary global challenges and the role religious leaders needed to play to address them. At the end of the Summit, the G20 Presidency was symbolically transferred from Indonesia to India, underscoring the continuity of efforts in fostering positive dialogue and collaboration.

Abu Dhabi Peace Forum 2022 Dr Al-Issa delivered the keynote address at the opening session of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum in November 2022, where he stressed that “peace is a core value in Islam, which is a religion of peace and strengthens the values of peace, tolerance and coexistence, and values human dignity”. The event was attended by senior international political, religious, intellectual, and academic figures.

International Interfaith Research Lab at Columbia Dr Al-Issa launched the International Interfaith Research Lab at Columbia University's Teachers College in November 2022. The Lab was established through a grant by the MWL to promote efforts to combat hate speech and hate crimes. Headed by Dr Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, Teachers’ College Associate Professor of Practice, the lab aims to foster a culture of resilience, serving as a center of excellence for research, leadership, and training.

2023 UK Visit In March 2023, Dr Al-Issa embarked on a significant visit to the UK, aimed at advancing interfaith harmony, cooperation, dialogue, and environmental protection.

During his trip, Dr Al-Issa engaged with the British Parliament, delivering a lecture on the Islamic and human values encompassed in the Charter of Makkah, as well as the Monarchy, making him the first prominent Muslim figure to be received by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace following his ascension to the throne.

Dr Al-Issa's engagements also extended to the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Defense Academy of the United Kingdom, where he met with ambassadors, students, and officers and discussed how religious values called for protection of the environment.

Another significant milestone was the first-ever conference of Muslim Religious Leaders in Europe, convened on behalf of MWL and presided over by Dr. Al-Issa. This event, attended by more than 300 Muslim leaders, focused on understanding the major issues facing the European Muslim community and addressing its most pressing concerns. It concluded with the establishment of a London-based independent body, including a Fatwa and religious guidance committee, and approved the Charter of Makkah for training Muslim Imams in Europe.

Dr Al-Issa also met with several faith leaders, including Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations in the UK; HE Cardinal Vincent Collins, the Archbishop of Westminster; and Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. These meetings focused on cooperation for promoting interfaith peace-building efforts, confronting hate speech, and criminalizing acts that insult any religious sanctity.

Meeting With Pope Francis In May 2023, Dr Al-Issa was invited by Pope Francis at his residence in Santa Marta, Vatican. Dr Al-Issa said the two of them discussed “shared values and building bridges between civilizations based on effective and sustainable initiatives. I appreciate Pope Francis's kind hospitality and noble sentiments”.

Building Bridges of Understanding and Peace Between East and West Initiative In June 2023, Dr Al-Issa inaugurated the “Building Bridges of Understanding and Peace Between East and West” initiative at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. The session featured speeches from esteemed global and religious leaders, including Csaba Korosi, Amina Mohammed, Arthur C. Wilson, Martin Luther King III, and Sir Ephraim Yitzchak Mirvis, stressing the urgent need for interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the shared goal of global peace and prosperity.

2023 India Visit In July 2023, Dr Al-Issa undertook a significant visit to India that spanned five days. During his time in the country, he voiced concerns about the surge in global conflicts, particularly highlighting the negative role played by terrorist organizations. Through an interview with the news agency ANI, Dr Al-Issa clarified that the ideologies of Islam and terrorism are distinct, emphasizing that they "have nothing to do with each other."

Marking a historic moment in his tour, Dr Al-Issa led the Friday prayers at Delhi's Jama Masjid. This occasion was notably significant as he became the first individual from outside India to assume this role at the revered mosque in over four centuries. Additionally, showcasing inter-faith harmony, he visited the renowned Akshardham Temple in Delhi. There, he advocated for universal peace and harmony, underscoring the importance of love and unity, irrespective of the underlying reasons for global conflicts.

The tense relations between Muslims and Hindus in the region in general called for this visit. During the visit, Sheikh Al-Issa worked to bring points of view closer and to talk with officials in India about the Islamic community and the importance of their rights. He addressed the Islamic community on the importance of coexistence, harmony, and interaction with society.

The Role of Media in Inciting Hatred and Violence In November 2023, Al-Issa led the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a Media International Forum in Jeddah. The gathering discussed The Role of Media in Inciting Hatred and Violence: Risks of Misinformation and Bias. The event was attended by Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas over telephone.

The forum issued the 'Jeddah Charter for Media Responsibility' that was ratified by delegations from over 80 countries, represented by senior religious leaders, media figures, and diplomats. Titled Promoting Interfaith Harmony among Followers of Religions, the gathering brought together about 2,000 religious and intellectual figures from 57 countries. It discussed various themes, including pluralism, tolerance, moderation, education, building bridges, and inclusive commonalities.

It also discussed the importance of religion in promoting world peace, consolidating solidarity among peoples, and exploring ways of civilizational cooperation.

International Conference on Faith in a Changing World In October 2024, Al-Issa’s helped convene an international conference in Rabat titled Faith in a Changing World, held under the patronage of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI.

The conference discussed faith and atheism, and how to effectively bridge the divide. It was attended by noted religious, and civil society leaders that included Dr Salim M Al Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IESCO), Archbishop of Rabat Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair on Religious Pluralism and Peace Prof Alberto Melloni, the Grand Mufti of Egypt Muhammad Mukhtar Gomaa, and Executive Director of the World Faiths Development Dialogue, Georgetown University Prof Katherine Marshall. The conference issued the "Charter of Faith in a Changing World".

International Conference on Girl's Education in Muslim Communities In January 2025, Al-Issa convened a conference in Islamabad to support girls’ education in the Muslim world. The international conference was convened under the patronage of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif.

The two-day conference was attended by participants from many OIC states, ambassadors, religious scholars and muftis, representatives from global organizations including UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank. The conference led to a consensus among religious scholars from various Islamic schools of thought and sects on the right to education for Muslim girls. Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai also attended the conference to support the right to education for Muslim girls. Rolling Stone UK said the delegates, "including human rights advocates like Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, state leaders, UNICEF, and even the most conservative Islamic sects – formed an unlikely but critical alliance".

The conference concluded with the issuance of the Islamabad Declaration that establishes an irrevocable right to education for all Muslim girls. It was endorsed by senior muftis, leading scholars, their jurisprudential councils, representatives of Islamic bodies and councils, academic institutions, governmental and non-governmental international organizations and global activists. According to Rolling Stone UK, "Sheikh Al-Issa is not just a religious leader – he is a reformer, a bridge-builder, and a voice of moral clarity in a time of division. And the Islamabad Declaration may be his greatest achievement to date."

The Independent said in an article that the Islamabad Declaration "has created fractures in the Taliban, and sends a message to Muslim groups worldwide that their faith is a force that protects women’s rights".

Duke University Lecture In May 2025, Al-Issa delivered a lecture at Duke University focused on the rich legacy and multifaceted contributions of Islamic civilization in the fields of science and literature. His lecture covered Islam’s historical achievements in politics, administration, and social development, particularly its influence on legislation, human rights, philosophy, and the arts.

Afghanistan Visit 2025 In July 2025, Al-Issa undertook a visit to Afghanistan, meeting the top leadership of the Taliban government, including Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, Foreign Affairs Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Interior Minister Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani.

His visit included numerous high-profile engagements that discussed the need for Islamic unity, the role of Muslim scholars in addressing contemporary challenges through dialogue, and core Islamic values of justice, preservation of rights, and principles of moderation and mercy. One of the key areas of discussion was the persistent of deeply rooted customs and traditions that contradicted Sharia.

World Economic Forum in Davos 2026 Al-Issa was a speaker at the main dialogue session at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2026. In his speech, he highlighted the importance of religious leaders supporting and endorsing the New York Declaration. The session, led by Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics, discussed the role religious leaders can play to rebuild trust and bring forth peace in the world.

Conference at George Washington University In February 2026, Al-Issa was invited by the president of the George Washington University, Dr. Ellen M. Granberg, to participate in a conference on anti-Semitism titled “Challenging Extremism, Antisemitism, and Hate: From the Middle East to U.S. Colleges”. He also led discussions on the general concept of hatred and hostility toward followers of religions and ethnicities. Al-Issa said hate speech was “the cry of the ignorant and the weak”, and had resulted in destructive wars.

Other speakers at the conference included Pierre Gentin, General Counsel of the US Department of Commerce, and Her Excellency Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.

US Congressional Honor In February 2026, members of the US Congress honoured Al-Issa for his efforts to combat hate and promote coexistence among religions of the world. Lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic, including members of House of Representatives and the Senate, took part in the ceremony held at the Capitol Hill. Both Al-Issa and MWL were recognized for their role to strengthen social cohesion and countering racism.

Visit to Australia In April 2026, Al-Issa visited Australia and held meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, senior Australian officials and leaders of the Australian Muslim community.

In their meeting, Albanese and the MWL secretary general discussed the importance of building social cohesion across diverse societies through mutual respect and cooperation, and deepening bonds between nations and people. Al-Issa also met the Australian National Imams Council and the United Muslims of Australia.

Awards and Recognitions Since taking over the Muslim World League in 2016, Dr Al-Issa has received a number of awards and recognitions from a wide range of prominent international institutions and government officials.

October 2020: The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre named Al-Issa one of the most influential Muslims globally in its 2020 edition of “The Muslim 500: The World's Most Influential Muslims.” June 2020: Dr Al-Issa received the inaugural Combat Anti-Semitism Award from the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement and the American Sephardi Federation for his contributions to the fight against anti-Semitism and racism. August 2019: Dr Al-Issa was awarded the “Children of Abraham” Award alongside the head of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Rabbi Marc Schneier by the Florence School of Advanced Studies for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue at the 40th annual Rimini Meeting. July 2019: Senegal's President Macky Sall awarded Dr. Al-Issa the Grand Order of the State in recognition of his efforts to promote religious understanding and harmony, and humanitarian programs around the world. February 2019: Dr Al-Issa received the World's Religions Peace Award from the National Council on US-Arab Relations for his international efforts to promote interfaith peace and harmony. November 2018: Dr Al-Issa received the 2018 Moderation Prize from Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal for his efforts to combat extremist and terrorist ideology and promote moderation and peace. July 2018: Dr Al-Issa received the 2018 Galileo International Award from the Galileo Foundation in Florence, Italy for his international achievements and leadership in promoting religious and cultural unity. 2020: Honorary Doctorate in Science, Alfa BK University, Belgrade August 2021: Prophet's Hijra Award by Malaysia. In November 2021, Al-Issa received the Bridge Builder Award from the Nobel Peace Center, alongside Dr. Ioan Sauca, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, in recognition of his sustained efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and build bridges between religious communities. February 2022: Honorary Doctorate in Law from Pattani University, Thailand. February 2022: Order of the Republic awarded by President of the Republic of Maldives Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. October 2022: Hilal-e-Pakistan, second-highest civil award of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, awarded President Arif Alvi. October 2022: National Order of Merit, awarded by His Excellency President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Cheikh AI-Ghazwani. October 2022: Honorary Medal from the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions presented by Kazakh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. November 2022: America Abroad Media presented Dr Al-Issa with an award for his commentary about how Muslims are portrayed in Western films. November 2022: Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace Award for consolidating peace in Muslim societies. 2024: Honorary Postdoctoral Senior Fellowship in Law, University of Bologna 2024: The 'Mother Teresa' Decoration, Albania 2024: The State Order for World-Renowned Spiritual Figures, Albania 2024: Presidential Award, Republic of Malawi 2024:Ambassador of International Peace Award, The Gambia 2024: National Order of Merit, Mauritania 2024: Awarded "Key to Sarajevo" by Benjamina Karić, Mayor of Sarajevo

Publications

2026 US framing of Iran war may lead to more violent extremism

2025 Congratulating Christians on Christmas is permissible - and reflects Islam's higher purposes

Twenty years after 7/7, Britain needs a national compact with its Muslim citizens

We must face the truth: migration is not 'a crisis', it's a symptom

2024 There has never been a more dangerous time to be a British Muslim | The Telegraph

It is high time that Norway resumes its role as a global peace builder | AftenPosten

This Ramadan, Muslim world can end gender apartheid in Afghanistan | Euronews

Avoiding the Demonization Trap Over Gaza | Wall Street Journal

A Muslim faith leader calls for stronger moral leadership in the Middle East | The Economist

2023 Swedes and Muslims must not fall into the trap of Koran burners | Dagens Nyheter

We Must Guard Against the Dangers of AI and Religious Extremism |Newsweek

What a genocide survivor and a Muslim leader learn fighting 'great replacement theory |USA Today

2022 Biden's silent bid to end terrorism | Washington Times

Women are the missing key to tackling climate change in the Muslim World | Euractiv

2021 Islamic scholars can turn the Taliban towards moderation | Times of London

To save Muslim lives, let Muslims tell their own stories | Washington Post

Religion's Role in Climate Conversations | Newsweek

Ramadan a chance to dispel vaccinations myths across Islamic world | The Sydney Morning Herald

Social media brings out the hate in individuals | The Washington Times

2020 Muslims need to advance justice, community welfare this election | The Detroit News

As Muslims, we stand with Jews to pledge: Never again |Jewish News

How Auschwitz has united Muslims and Jews | Chicago Tribune

2019 Muslims and Latter-day Saints can be leaders in building tolerance | Deseret News

As Head of the Muslim World League, I See Islamic Leaders Calling for Tolerance More Than Ever | Newsweek

A Ramadan for the world | The Washington Times

My advice to Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar | Fox News

I Lead the Muslim World League. Here is Why I Broke Taboos To Acknowledge the Holocaust | Newsweek

Why Muslims from around the world should remember the Holocaust? | Washington Post

Positions