Full Breakdown
Muslim World League Secretary-General Stresses Dialogue in Brussels Amid European Far-Right Surge
By Drooid · · How we work
Visit Overview and Emphasis on Dialogue
During a recent trip to Brussels, Sheikh Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Mecca-based Muslim World League, met with Belgian political leaders, religious community representatives, and civil-society actors. Al-Issa reiterated the League’s long-standing mission to promote Islam, tolerance, and friendship among peoples.
European Political Landscape and Constitutional Safeguards
Al-Issa’s remarks came as right-wing parties made electoral gains in several EU states, notably the Alternative for Germany (AfD) securing first-place finishes in recent state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. He expressed confidence that Europe’s “civilised constitutions” and shared societal values would prevent any erosion of democratic norms. According to Al-Issa, any departure from constitutional principles would trigger public opposition and could be challenged before constitutional courts, a pattern he said had previously produced the outcomes he hoped for.
Religious Freedom and Recent Clothing Regulations
The discussion also touched on ongoing debates over religious attire in Europe. Al-Issa called for respect of religious practices within the framework of national constitutions. He referenced Italy’s newly approved decree that bans face coverings during school activities, noting that while the text does not name the burqa or niqab, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly linked the measure to those garments and emphasized that no girl should be forced to hide herself.
Outlook and Implications
By linking dialogue to constitutional resilience, Al-Issa signaled that the Muslim World League intends to engage European societies through established legal channels rather than confrontational tactics. His emphasis on legal oversight and public conscience suggests a strategy focused on reinforcing existing democratic safeguards while advocating for the protection of religious freedoms amid a shifting political climate.