Doha: The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf), represented by the Department of Da’wah and Religious Guidance, conducted the first session of the 11th Ramadan dialogue program ‘Wa Amenhum mein Khawf’, at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque.

According to Qatar News Agency, the first session, moderated by Sheikh Moaz Ahmed Yousef Al Qasimi, focused on the importance and position of monotheism (tawheed) in the Islamic faith, alongside key issues and concepts related to the topic. The session was attended by specialized scholars and thinkers who contributed to the discussion.

Dr. Ahmed Al Ghareeb, a preacher, highlighted the duality of monotheism and empowerment, using examples from the lives of the prophet’s companions. Al Ghareeb emphasized the necessity for age-appropriate educational programs accessible to all Muslims, underscoring that monotheism is a fundamental and unifying issue in Islam.

Dr. Turki bin Obaid Al Marri, a faculty member at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University, stressed the importance of monotheism (tawheed) in preserving the Muslim community’s identity. He pointed out the need to raise young people with a clear understanding of tawheed from an early age, advocating for a practical approach rather than merely theoretical assertions. Al Marri noted that the Muslim community remains resilient due to its connection to the Quran, despite facing severe trials, such as recent events in Gaza.

Al Marri further discussed the concept of freedom, critiquing the Western notion of unrestricted freedom. He argued that true monotheism arises from personal acceptance and conviction rather than compulsion, citing the Quranic verse “There is no compulsion in religion” to support his point. He concluded that returning to monotheism requires a renewed commitment to the Quran.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mutlaq Al Jasser, a professor at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University, offered an interpretation of the verse: “Those who believe and obscure not their belief by wrongdoing, theirs is safety; and they are rightly guided.” He explained that the verse promises security to believers who uphold monotheism and avoid associating partners with God. Al Jasser reassured that such believers attain security both in the Hereafter and in worldly life, emphasizing that life and sustenance are in God’s hands.