pdfBiography

His Excellency Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim  

  • Al-Issa is widely recognized as a leading global voice on moderate Islam, committed to bringing global awareness to the religion's true message of empathy, understanding and cooperation among all people.
  • Born on June 10, 1965, Dr. Al-Issa completed his studies at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence, a master's degree, and a PhD in Comparative Judicial Studies (Constitutional Law). He has delivered lectures and participated in discussions worldwide on Islamic jurisprudence, its judicial theories, and comparative studies between Islamic jurisprudence and positive law. His expertise extends to the interpretation of the Holy Quran, explaining its rulings and eloquence (both in language and legislation), and the Prophetic Sunnah, including explanations, rulings, and addressing doubts raised (whether out of mere inquiry, ignorance, or specific motives) regarding some of its texts. He has also made multiple contributions regarding the authority of the Prophetic Sunnah and addressing the doubts of those known as "Quranists." Dr. Al-Issa has authored several books, research papers, working papers, and articles on jurisprudence, law, human rights, and intellectual thought. He has also worked in fields related to Sharia and law.
  • As Secretary General of the Muslim World League, a Makkah-based non-governmental organization that represents adherents of the Islamic faith around the world, Dr. Al-Issa has been a trailblazer in building new partnerships among different communities, faiths and nations. He is also the Honorary Supervisor-General of the Center for Safeguarding Intellect, a body affiliated with the Saudi Defense Ministry dedicated to combatting extremist and terrorist ideology. He has engaged in dialogues with political, intellectual, human rights, and academic entities around the world for several years.
  • Dr. Al-Issa's groundbreaking interfaith efforts include his trip to Auschwitz in January 2020 for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the death camp. The Auschwitz Museum declared it the most senior Islamic delegation ever to visit. In 2019, Dr. Al-Issa led representatives of the Abrahamic religions in France in signing an agreement for peace and solidarity, and held a conference on reconciliation in Sri Lanka to heal inter-religious divides created by the Easter terrorist attacks. Dr. Al-Issa also met with His Holiness Pope Francis in 2017 to forge a first of its kind agreement between MWL and the Vatican.
  • Cardinal Timothy Dolan has called Dr. Al-Issa "the most eloquent spokesman in the Islamic world for reconciliation and friendship among the religions." President Russell Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, "You are a peacemaker. You are a bridge builder. And we need more leaders like you." President Ari Berman of Yeshiva University hailed Dr. Al-Issa's efforts to rebuild the historic relationship between Muslims and Jews through engaging and educating the next generation of leaders.
  • U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback has praised Dr. Al-Issa's partnership in bringing together the Abrahamic faiths and pushing back against forces of hate, calling him "a constituent of the future, of what the world needs, and will look like in the future. I applaud it." U.S. Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combatting anti-Semitism Elan Carr applauded Dr. Al-Issa's "remarkable vision and his commitment to turning over a new chapter and building a new future for the sake of not only Jewish and Christian children, but for the sake of all the children of the world who deserve this better future of decency and justice and tolerance and love that we know we can build for them, thanks to his leadership."
  • The 2020 U.S. State Department Country Reports on Terrorism recognized Dr. Al-Issa's achievements in countering violent extremism: "The Muslim World League Secretary General, Dr. Mohammad al-Issa, pressed a message of interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence with global religious authorities, including Muslim imams outside the Arab world. He also conducted outreach with a variety of Jewish and Christian leaders, including prominent U.S. rabbis and Christian evangelicals."
  • The 2019 U.S. State Department Report on Counterterrorism hailed Dr. Al-Issa's leadership in promoting moderate Islam: "He continues to work hard to deliver the message of moderation and coexistence internationally, including efforts to reach out to Muslim minority communities, Jewish communities in the United States and Europe, and Christian churches in the Middle East."

 

LEADERSHIP OF THE MUSLIM WORLD LEAGUE 

  • Dr. Al-Issa assumed his current role as Secretary-General of the Muslim World League on August 9, 2016. In the same year, he became Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars and a member of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia. In 2019, he was appointed President of the League of Islamic Universities.
  • As Secretary-General, Dr. Al-Issa has travelled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia, meeting with dignitaries and parliamentarians from the fields of justice, law and human rights, as well as major faith-based and community leaders. He has also delivered academic lectures and discussed scholarly dissertations at major universities within the Kingdom and abroad, particularly in Europe and the United States.
  • To advance his vision of civilizational and cultural dialogue, Dr. Al-Issa visited the Vatican in September 2017 to meet Pope Francis and the late Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, Chairman of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Those discussions led to an unprecedented partnership between the MWL and The Holy See, and paved the way for the most senior visit ever by a Vatican official to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2018.
  • In 2019, Dr. Al-Issa visited Sri Lanka to meet with Buddhist and Muslim religious leaders to promote healing and integration in the wake of the country's deadly Easter attacks. He received the Order of Peace from Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. He also orchestrated the first agreement between leaders of the Abrahamic religions in Paris, joining Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christian leaders in an agreement committing to harmony and solidarity. This initiative built upon his work in bringing together the Abrahamic faiths in France, resulting in the "Paris Agreement for the Abrahamic Family for Solidarity and Peace," which united Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox, and Islamic religious leaders.
  • Under Dr. Al-Issa, the Muslim World League has expanded representation of various sects of Islam within the Muslim World League Supreme Council and other subsidiary bodies to ensure the inclusion of all Muslim communities around the world. He was elected by seventy Islamic figures from across the Islamic world, representing all Islamic schools of thought, to the Supreme Council of the League.
  • Dr. Al-Issa continues to meet with senior leaders of politics, religion, science, thought and culture to explore ways to advance constructive cooperation and counteract extremism. He has advocated holistic strategies that focus on dialogue and education to immunize communities of different religions against the threat of extremism. He has introduced policy initiatives to address hate speech and racism that incites violent extremism.
  • Over the past two years, Dr. Al-Issa has signed several cooperation agreements with some of the largest Jewish institutions operating in the United States and globally, they focus on promoting common values, protecting religious sites of worship and building greater interfaith understanding. In 2020, Dr. Al-Issa finalized a cooperation agreement with the Russian Orthodox Church and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, in another interreligious initiative without precedent.
  • In January 2020, Dr. Al-Issa became the most senior Islamic leader to visit the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp.
  • Dr. Al-Issa joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the AJC Virtual Global Forum opening plenary in June 2020, joining in their call for dialogue and cooperation to create a better, more equal world free of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and any other form of prejudice.
  • Later that month, he joined Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg in a virtual symposium focused on fighting hate and discrimination. "Knowledge and dialogue are vital in the fight against hate and discrimination," she said, recognizing the groundbreaking work by the Muslim World League on this front.
  • Throughout 2020, Dr. Al-Issa oversaw a comprehensive research project in partnership with the United Nations University for Peace, which culminated in a launch of the book "Promote Peace, Human Rights and Civilized Dialogue," in November 2020. The research project and book included input from 32 prominent religious, political, academic and civil society leaders representing the vast cultural diversity on display around the world. The book outlines a model for achieving stronger international cooperation and uniting the global visions to address some of the world's greatest problems.
  • In June 2021, Dr. Al-Issa brokered a groundbreaking agreement between government ministers and senior scholars from Afghanistan and Pakistan. The "Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan" creates a roadmap for reconciliation in the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan.
  • Most recently, in March 2022, Dr. Al-Issa completed a seven-day visit to three U.S. states as part of an effort to strengthen relations between Muslims and other faith groups. As a part of the Global Faith Forum, Dr. Al-Issa was hosted by Pastor Bob Roberts and the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, in Dallas, Texas. He later visited thriving evangelical churches in Kansas City, Missouri, and Glenarden, Maryland. The visit represented the largest-ever gathering of Muslims and Evangelicals. He has been chosen as a keynote speaker and exclusive representative of Islam at major international conferences and events.
THE CHARTER OF MAKKAH 

  • Widely considered one of the most important documents in modern Islamic history, the Charter of Makkah calls for combatting hate speech, violence, extremism and terrorism around the world, while advancing the principles of moderate Islam and interfaith partnership. This document reflects Dr. Al-Issa's deep commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation between different faiths and cultures, a commitment evident throughout his career. He has consistently emphasized the importance of dialogue and engagement as tools for building bridges and achieving peaceful coexistence.
  • The historic charter was unanimously endorsed by more than 1,200 notable Muslim scholars at the culmination of the Makkah Conference, held by the MWL in May 2019. Dr. Al-Issa led the four-day conference, which included participants representing every sect of Islam.
  • The charter follows the precedent of the Charter of Medina, drafted by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) nearly fourteen centuries ago to preserve the diversity of the Islamic Ummah and form the basis of interreligious cooperation. The Charter of Makkah stresses that religious and cultural diversity in the modern world does not justify conflict, but rather reinforces the need for dialogue, understanding and cooperation to fight injustice, oppression and the obstacles to peaceful coexistence. The Charter includes provisions for protecting the environment, cultural traditions and national sovereignty.
EDUCATION AND EARLY CAREER 

  • Dr. Al-Issa's career reflects a distinguished path of public service and scholarship. After completing his studies, he served as a judge in the Ministry of Justice, rising to the rank of Chief Appellate Judge. His experience in the judicial system provided a strong foundation for his later work in promoting justice and human rights on a global scale.
  • * April 13, 2007: Appointed Vice President of the Court of Grievances.
    * February 14, 2009: Appointed Minister of Justice, a position he held until September 30, 2015. During his tenure, he was credited with introducing key reforms in family matters, humanitarian cases, and women's rights, earning recognition both within Saudi Arabia and internationally.
    * March 30, 2012: Appointed President of the Supreme Judicial Council and subsequently Advisor at the Royal Court.
    * November 27, 2012: Selected as Honorary President by the Council of Arab Ministers of Justice.
    * December 23, 2015: Appointed the Honorary Supervisor-General of the Center for Safeguarding Intellect, a role reflecting his dedication to countering the spread of extremist thought.
  • Dr. Al-Issa also joined the teaching staff at the College of Law and Political Science at King Saud University and the Higher Judicial Institute of Al-Imam Mohammad Bin Saud Islamic University, sharing his expertise and contributing to the education of future generations of legal scholars.
  • In August 2017, Dr. Al-Issa delivered a keynote speech on behalf of Muslims at the International Summit on Religion at Mount Hai in Kyoto, Japan, presided over by the chief priest of the Tendai Buddhist sect. A year later, Dr. Al-Issa delivered an address on behalf of Muslims around the world at the 39th Meeting for Friendship Among People in the Italian city of Rimini.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Dr. Al-Issa has received numerous prestigious awards and honors for his contributions to interfaith dialogue, counter-extremism efforts, and humanitarian causes. His recognitions are chronologically listed as follows:
  • 2017
    - In April 2017, Dr. Al-Issa was awarded the Kingdom of Malaysia’s highest honorary title, “Dato’ Sri,” in recognition of his efforts to promote moderation, during a grand ceremony convened by the Sultan.
    - Special recognition from the Republic of Singapore for promoting moderate Islam
  • 2018
    - Received the Galileo International Award from the Galileo Foundation in Florence, Italy
    - Awarded the Moderation Prize by the Governor of Makkah Region
  • 2019
    - Honorary doctorate from Russia's Institute of Orientalism
    - Awarded the Supreme Republic Medal by the President of Sri Lanka
    - Received the Grand Order of the State from the President of Senegal 
    - In February 2019, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations presented its Global Interfaith Peace Award to His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa, in recognition of his distinguished efforts to promote peace and understanding among followers of different religions
    - "Children of Abraham" Award at Italy's Rimini Meeting
    - Peace Prize from the Arab-American Relations Council in Washington, D.C.
    - In September 2019, the French College of Bernardins awarded its Medal to His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa for His Excellency’s efforts in spreading peace and solidarity.
    - In November 2019, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations awarded Dr. Al-Issa a medal, making him the first international expert to receive this distinction.
  • 2020
    - Inaugural recipient of the Combat Anti-Semitism Award
    - Honorary doctorate from Indonesia's Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University
    - Honorary doctorate from University of Management and Technology, Lahore
    - Honorary doctorate from Alfa BK University in Belgrade
  • 2021
    - Golden Shield Award from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
    - Honorary doctorate from the UN University for Peace
    - Prophet's Hijra Award from the King of Malaysia
    - Norwegian Bridge Builder Award
    - Honorary doctorate in Law from Pattani University, Thailand
    - Order of the Republic from the President of Maldives
  • 2022
    - Hilal-e-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan) bestowed by President Dr. Arif Alvi
    - National Order of Merit from the President of Mauritania
    - Honorary Medal of the Conference of Religious Leaders from the President of Kazakhstan
    - Medal of the Ambassador of International Peace from the President of The Gambia (UN-approved)
    - Honorary doctorate from the University of The Gambia
  • 2023
    - International Award from the Arakan Union Organization for his support of the Rohingya people
  • 2024
    - Honorary doctorate in Political Science from the University of Malaya, Malaysia
    - Key to the City of Sarajevo and the Republic's highest award (first Islamic figure to receive this honor)
    - In May 2024, His Excellency Dr. Al-Issa was presented with the Key to the City of Alexandria by Mr. Mohamed El-Sherif, Governor of Alexandria, during an official reception. This honor was bestowed in recognition of Dr. Al-Issa’s outstanding international contributions to interfaith cooperation and humanitarian relief. The Key to the City is regarded as the highest distinction awarded by Alexandria

    - Honorary doctorate from Beder University, Albania
    - In August 2024, Dr. Al-Issa was awarded the Presidential Award by His Excellency President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of the Republic of Malawi. This esteemed honor was bestowed during an official reception at the Presidential Palace in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, in recognition of Dr. Al-Issa’s contributions to fostering societal harmony, stability, and sustainable development across the African continent.
    - The first Islamic religious leader to be invited to lecture at Harvard University delivered a lecture on the topic of “Law and Religion,” attended by a large gathering of policymakers and senior international legal experts.
    - In December 2024, the Italian State University of Bologna awarded His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa the Honorary Postdoctoral Fellowship in Law, in recognition of his significant contributions to advancing the goals outlined in the preamble of the United Nations Charter, which embodies the global aspiration for peace. His efforts include mitigating conflicts between cultures, promoting mutual understanding among societies, and building bridges between diverse communities—grounded in respect for differences and cooperation based on shared values.
  • 2025
    - In February 2025, Dr. Al-Issa was awarded the highest medal of honor by the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. The award was presented by His Excellency Mr. Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau, at the Presidential Palace. Dr. Al-Issa received this honor in recognition of his efforts in religious diplomacy, promoting civilizational peace and fostering international cooperation.
    - In September 2025, Dr. Al-Issa received the “Order of Dostyk,” the highest award of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It was awarded by H.E. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Astana, in recognition of his distinguished efforts in strengthening friendship among peoples and his significant contributions to promoting interfaith partnerships and advancing cooperation, understanding, and religious harmony.
    - In September 2025, Dr. Al-Issa was awarded an honorary doctorate and an honorary professorship by Eurasian National University, in Astana.