CAIRO, July 26 (IslamOnline.net) – The Egyptian capital is to host the first branch of the International Association of Muslim Scholars (IAMS), an all-inclusive independent body acting as a reference for all Muslims worldwide, prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Youssef Al-Qaradawi said.

Speaking at a lecture in Cairo, Al-Qaradawi said the selection comes in recognition of Egypt's role as a "cultural hub for Muslims"

"Egypt hosts the headquarters of Al-Azhar (Islam's largest Sunni authority), and its people are religious by nature and deeply moved by Islam," the respectable Muslim scholar told the attendees of the lecture, hosted by the Egyptian Society for Culture and Dialogue Saturday, July 24.

Sheikh Al-Qaradawi, president of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, was reluctantly named president of the pan-Muslim body.

Dr. Muhammad Selim Al-Awwa, a prominent Muslim scholar heading the Egypt Society for Culture and Dialogue, was chosen Secretary General of the IASM, with Iranian Ayatollah Mohammad Al-Taskhiri, representing Shiites, Mauritanian Abdullah Bin Bieyah, representing Sunnis, and Omani Ahmad Bin Hamad Al-Khalili, representing the Ibadi Madhhab, as his deputies.

Al-Qaradawi had earlier refused to take up the post, arguing he was too old – 76 - but later accepted it at the insistent request of Muslim scholars.

Stressing the IASM would not touch on points of contention between major Islamic sects but would rather handle issues of concern to all Muslims, Al-Qaradawi said at the lecture the body is designated to close ranks of more than one billion followers worldwide.

Mohamed Zeidan, the head of IslamOnline.net Shari'ah department, in charge of publishing edicts requested sent by users of the website renowned for its moderate content, urged the association to reactivate its political and media policy.

Zeidan proposed launching a website for the body in English and Arabic, "not least to facilitate contact with peoples of other faiths and underline significance of its mission".

Abdel-Hay Faramawi was of the same mind, adding other languages could be also introduced in the future.

Scholars of Al-Azhar and university professors turned up for the lecture.

It comprises 200 Muslim scholars, Sunnis and Shiites, from the four corners of the world.

Al-Qaradawi had then pointed out that the IAMS will open up to other religions and cultures as it firmly believes in the importance of promoting the dialogue with the other.

In an earlier document, a copy of which was obtained by IslamOnline.net, Sheikh Al-Qaradawi outlined the main characteristics of the fledgling association as follows:

1- It is a pure Islamic association comprising Muslim scholars from all over the world and representing different schools.

2- It works globally to get its message across the entire world and defend Muslim communities living abroad.

3- It is not a state-run body, but rater gains momentum from the confidence of the Muslim peoples. It is basically independent, but does not antagonize governments and it seeks to enhance bilateral cooperation.

4- It casts a spotlight on the eternal message of Islam using all possible means and state-of-the-art technology.

5- It eschews extremism and bigotry and thinks moderately.

6- And last but not least, it translates its words into action and enlists seasoned and appealing scholars.

As for the association’s objective, it is aimed at:

1- Raising the awareness of Muslims about their religion.

2- Alarming the Muslims to the perils surrounding their religion and identity under the guise of carefully-tailored terms like globalization and modernity.

3- Creating a generation equipped with unshakable belief to carry the Islamic torch.

4- Being a guiding light for all Muslims and finding optimal solutions to their problems.

5- Unifying the ranks of Muslim scholars when dealing with the nation’s major issues.