As many as 4,000 religious scholars, including graduates from Saudi religious institutions, have come together to fight the psychological war waged against Islam and Muslims, who are being exposed to alien doctrines that have nothing to do with Islam.

Filipino scholars, representing various academic institutions and organizations in the Lanao province of the Philippines, passed resolutions at the second Ulama Summit Conference recently.

The conference, which held under the theme “the role of religious sectors in bringing about peace,” stressed the need to tackle issues concerning Islam and the Muslim world.

It recommended the use of classical Arabic language as an official medium of communication and understanding at various meetings and special events.

The scholars called on President Benigno Aquino III to expedite the implementation of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, a peace deal between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government.

Such a gesture would be highly appreciated by the Bangsamoro people who have been deprived of their legitimate rights for decades and would also go a long way in bringing about peace, security, stability and prosperity to Muslim and non-Muslim Filipinos alike.

Participants also condemned the atrocities committed by Israel against innocent civilians in Gaza, expressing their support to the calls made by the international community for a truce between the two sides and to spare the blood of unarmed civilians.

The gathering called for deterrent punishment against perpetrators of the massacre under international human rights law.

The summit also applauded the ongoing efforts taken to restore peace in the region and to unite the ranks of scholars.

The event, which was held under the sponsorship of the office of Alim Ali Sulaiman, a senior MILF official, with the cooperation of various Islamic organizations in the Lanao region.

Sulaiman told Arab News that conference objectives include reiterating support of scholars to ongoing peace talks between the government and the MILF and stressing the role of these religious leaders in addressing the challenges facing the society.

Central committee members present at the meeting included Sammy Mansour, MILF chief-of-staff and Mamintal Adiong Alonto, the event’s host.

The participants sought to renew the spirit of brotherhood and understanding to promote the interest of Islam and Muslims regardless of extraneous considerations. They also resolved to strengthen cooperation and solidarity among them, besides working out solutions to problems facing the Muslim country.