Bio H.E Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah
Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah is widely recognized by Muslim scholars around the world as one of the foremost authorities on the Islamic legal methodology known as uṣūl al-fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence). But his impact and reach go far beyond the realm of jurisprudence. The Shaykh has worked tirelessly to promote peace, coexistence, and dialogue, earning widespread admiration and respect from leaders of all faiths.
Born in Mauritania, West Africa, in 1935, Shaykh Abdullah received a classical Islamic education under his father, developing an advanced understanding of the Arabic language and the Quranic sciences at an early age. He went on to become an official authority for issuing Islamic legal counsel, with his background enabling him to develop a universal framework in which Islamic jurisprudence can be adapted to local contexts while maintaining its essential principles.
The Shaykh's contributions to Islamic scholarship are extensive and wide-ranging. He has authored numerous books and articles, exploring topics such as Islamic legal theory, Qur'anic exegesis, and Islamic spirituality. But perhaps his most significant contribution has been his role in promoting peace and coexistence within and beyond the Muslim world.
In 2014, Shaykh Abdullah founded the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, which serves as a platform for scholars and leaders from different faiths and backgrounds to come together and exchange ideas. The annual forum has attracted some of the world's leading Islamic scholars, religious leaders, and actors from faith traditions, academics, civic society, youth, women, and thought leaders.
Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the ADFfP aims to address the crises facing global Islam from a framework of Islamic tradition and legal theory. The forum has produced several important documents, including the Marrakesh Declaration, which outlines a framework for the protection and equal citizenship of numerical minorities in Muslim majority societies.
The Marrakesh Declaration received widespread praise from leaders of all faiths, including President Obama and His Holiness Pope Francis. In 2019, Pope Francis visited Morocco and spoke about the importance of the Marrakesh Declaration, saying that it "called for overcoming the concept of religious minority in order to promote the importance of citizenship and to recognize the value of the human who should be pivotal to every legal system."
The Marrakesh Declaration was followed by the 'Charter of New Alliance of Virtue,' which was drafted by key figures from the Abrahamic tradition alongside the leadership of Shaykh Bin Bayyah. This document goes further than the legal framework of the Marrakesh Declaration, containing key principles on the importance and cultivation of virtues for people of faith and beliefs.
In addition to his work with the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, Shaykh Abdullah has also served as Chair of the UAE Jurisprudence Council, which provides guidance on Islamic legal matters to the government of the United Arab Emirates. He has been a leading voice in the fight against extremism and terrorism, arguing that these issues can only be defeated by sound reasoning drawn from orthodox, accepted sources of Islamic jurisprudence.
Throughout his life, Shaykh Abdullah has been a powerful advocate for peace and coexistence, and his tireless efforts have earned him widespread respect and admiration from leaders of all faiths. As he himself has said, "We don't want a world where Muslims feel safe, and other people don't feel safe. We want a world where everyone feels safe.