Wasatiyyah, or moderation, is a core value that has served as a principle and guiding beacon for the lives of Muslims throughout the ages. This concept is anchored in the principles of justice, balance, and moderation in all aspects of life. In the context of the ummah, Wasatiyyah plays a pivotal role as the foundation for the development of personal, societal, and civilizational harmony, in alignment with the words of Allah SWT in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 143:
“And thus We have made you a middle nation (ummatan wasata), that you may be witnesses over the people, and the Messenger (Muhammad) will be a witness over you.” Al-Baqarah, 2:143*
In the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the principle of Wasatiyyah is increasingly relevant as a driving force for the excellence of the ummah and global peace. Today’s world is witnessing rapid advancements in information and communication technology, which opens vast opportunities for human progress, yet also presents significant challenges. The misuse of technology, the proliferation of false information, the imbalance in the digital economy, and the threat of digital extremism are among the issues that could undermine the harmony of both local and global societies.
As a leader in excellence, the Wasatiyyah approach provides a solid foundation for strengthening universal values such as tolerance, social justice, and unity. Moreover, it has the potential to be a key driver in efforts to build global peace, where societies can overcome cultural, religious, and racial differences through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding.
However, the implementation and strengthening of this principle are not without challenges, especially in the digital age. Questions regarding how Wasatiyyah thoughts can be translated in the context of technological development, information regulation, and digital social justice need to be thoroughly examined. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss Wasatiyyah thought as a leader in the excellence of the ummah and global peace, focusing on its consolidation, implementation, and the challenges it faces in the digital era.
All the research done is expected to provide significant guidance in shaping a future that is more harmonious, balanced, and inclusive, in line with the teachings of Islam, which brings mercy to all of creation.
As the main theme of the conference, it will be discussed across a wide range of scopes and academic fields such as Islamic Creed and Thought, Islamic History and Civilization, Da’wah and Human Development, the Qur’an and Hadith, Usul al-Fiqh, Islamic Philosophy and Sufism, Islamic Management, Islamic Economics, Siyasah Shar‘iyyah, Islamic Law and Administration, Islamic Education and Training, Islamic Finance and Mualamat, Islam and Science, Astronomy, Arabic Language, and more. It will also include a focus on contemporary research fields such as Islamic Psychotherapy, Psychospirituality, Counselling, Mosque Management, Media and Communication, Halal and Halal Technology, the Sustainability of Islamic Studies, Environmental Sustainability, and others.
The target participants will include academics, lecturers, and researchers from various fields of Islamic studies, including postgraduate students from Malaysia, Brunei, and Turkey, particularly those interested in delving into discussions in these diverse areas.
Therefore, this conference is an initiative and effort by the organizers, the International Alumni Association of Al-Azhar Malaysia (WOAG Malaysia) and the Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia, in collaboration with Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf Üniversitesi, İstanbul, Türkiye, Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA), Brunei Darussalam, and International Alumni Association of Al-Azhar Brunei Darussalam. The aims of conference are to provide an opportunity for Al-Azhar alumni, scholars, and researchers from various higher education institutions in Malaysia and neighbouring countries to share information and new findings from research on Islam’s position as a religion that emphasizes knowledge, unity, development, and global peace.