On 5 October 2023 (20 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1445 AH), in Nouakchott, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and under the patronage of His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, the Nouakchott Declaration was issued by the Conference on the Prophet’s Biography.
The Declaration underscored the importance of confronting extremist ideologies, which constitute a primary source of conflict and division—particularly through the spread of hatred and racism—and the resulting violence and terrorism. It affirmed that such phenomena are not attributable to any specific religion, sect, ideology, or group.
The Declaration called upon the Muslim Ummah to draw upon the noble values of its great religion to strengthen unity and fraternity, and to contribute positively to other peoples and nations, affirming that Islam, with its monotheistic creed and wise laws, is “a mercy to all mankind,” “the perfection of noble character,” and that “the most beloved of people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to others.”
It emphasized that Islam established a robust framework for coexistence, brotherhood, harmony, tolerance, the safeguarding of human dignity, and the protection of human rights—without discrimination on the basis of religion, sect, race, or any other consideration. Justice, by its very nature, is comprehensive, and its standards are indivisible.
The Declaration further stressed the necessity of correcting misconceptions about Islam, exposing the falsehoods of those who distort and misrepresent its teachings, and clarifying the deviation of those who have genuinely embraced extremist ideologies.
The Nouakchott Declaration represents a key outcome of the Muslim World League’s efforts to implement the provisions of the Charter Of Makkah, whose historic international conference was held under the patronage of the Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may Allah protect him). The Charter was endorsed by more than 1,200 muftis and scholars and over 4,500 Islamic intellectuals, and was adopted by the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for application within their religious, cultural, and educational institutions. It has since been incorporated into curricula and programs in several Muslim-majority countries, as well as countries with Muslim minorities, and is referenced across a range of educational frameworks.
