Ibn Bayyah Addresses Existential Threats at Malaysia Summit: Uniting to Overcome Global Challenges

Religious Leaders Unite in Malaysia to Address Humanity's "Existential Crisis"

As global conflicts intensify and environmental crises deepen, senior religious leaders are calling for unprecedented cooperation to tackle what they describe as existential threats to humanity. At the Second International Summit of Religious Leaders in Malaysia, prominent Islamic scholar Abdullah bin Bayyah outlined a stark assessment of the world's current trajectory, warning that despite technological advances, humanity faces escalating dangers that demand immediate action.

A World at a Critical Crossroads

Speaking at the summit organized by the Muslim World League in partnership with Malaysia's government, bin Bayyah—who heads the UAE's Fatwa Council and the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum—presented a sobering analysis of contemporary global challenges. His assessment reveals a paradox: while human connectivity and technological capabilities have reached unprecedented levels, the world simultaneously experiences dangerous escalations in conflict alongside worsening environmental, health, and food security crises.

This diagnosis reflects broader concerns among international observers who note that traditional diplomatic mechanisms appear insufficient to address today's interconnected global challenges. The scholar's emphasis on "existential" threats suggests these issues transcend typical geopolitical disputes, potentially threatening the foundations of human civilization itself.

Root Causes: Power Competition and Historical Legacies

Bin Bayyah attributed current global instability to a complex interplay between contemporary power struggles and unresolved historical grievances. He specifically highlighted how competition for influence and expansion among world powers has created a more turbulent and tense international environment.

This analysis aligns with observations from international relations experts who point to the return of great power competition between the United States, China, and Russia as a destabilizing force. Unlike the Cold War's bipolar structure, today's multipolar competition creates more unpredictable dynamics, potentially explaining the scholar's call for urgent intervention.

A Three-Pillar Strategy for Global Peace

Rather than offering abstract appeals for peace, bin Bayyah presented a concrete three-part framework for religious leaders to address global challenges:

Interfaith Common Ground

The first pillar emphasizes activating religious leadership to identify shared human values across different faiths. This approach recognizes that religious institutions retain significant moral authority and social influence, particularly in regions where secular institutions may be weak or contested.

Scriptural Wisdom for Modern Challenges

The second component calls for returning to religious texts to extract principles of tolerance and coexistence. This strategy attempts to counter extremist interpretations by emphasizing peaceful elements within religious traditions, potentially offering alternative narratives to those used to justify conflict.

Practical Implementation

The final pillar focuses on transforming religious principles into tangible programs that contribute to building a more peaceful and cooperative world. This emphasis on practical outcomes distinguishes the approach from purely symbolic interfaith dialogue.

The Abu Dhabi Model: From Theory to Practice

Bin Bayyah highlighted the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum's work over recent years as an example of implementing this vision. The forum's activities reflect the UAE's broader strategy of positioning itself as a regional hub for tolerance and interfaith dialogue, complementing its economic diversification efforts.

This approach mirrors similar initiatives in other Gulf states and Singapore, where governments leverage religious and cultural diplomacy to enhance their international standing while addressing domestic diversity challenges.

Strategic Implications for Global Governance

The summit's timing and location carry strategic significance. Malaysia's hosting role reflects the country's long-standing position as a moderate Muslim voice in international affairs, while the participation of diverse religious leaders suggests growing recognition that traditional diplomatic channels may be insufficient for addressing contemporary challenges.

For policymakers, this religious diplomacy represents both an opportunity and a challenge. While faith-based initiatives can reach populations and address grievances that secular institutions cannot, they also require careful navigation of theological differences and potential accusations of instrumentalizing religion for political purposes.

Beyond Symbolic Gestures

The summit's emphasis on converting principles into practical programs suggests organizers recognize the limitations of previous interfaith initiatives that remained largely symbolic. Success will likely depend on participants' ability to develop measurable outcomes and sustainable institutional frameworks that can operate across different political and cultural contexts.

As global challenges continue to outpace traditional governance mechanisms, initiatives like this Malaysian summit represent experiments in alternative approaches to international cooperation. Whether religious leadership can deliver the "urgent action and comprehensive cooperation" that bin Bayyah demands remains an open question, but the attempt reflects growing recognition that conventional diplomatic tools may be insufficient for humanity's current predicament.