Exploring Coexistence in a Digital World
On April 28, 2026, Professor Sami Al-Sharif, the Secretary-General of the Union of Islamic Universities and former Egyptian Minister of Information, participated in the international conference titled "The Future of Human Civilization in the Era of Artificial Intelligence," held in Fes, Morocco, under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. During this event, Al-Sharif presented an insightful paper entitled "The Public Sphere and Coexistence in the Digital Space," where he analyzed the transition towards a new form of human interaction characterized by decentralization and openness.
In his discourse, Al-Sharif highlighted how social media platforms have evolved beyond their traditional roles to become a "global open space" that reduces the impact of preconceived stereotypes and fosters deeper mutual understanding, free from superficial judgments. He emphasized that the positive utilization of digital spaces serves as an effective means to protect cultural identities and document local heritage, advocating for the establishment of a form of "global citizenship" rooted in human solidarity that transcends geographical boundaries.
Islamic Framework for Cultural Dialogue
In a significant portion of his presentation, Al-Sharif examined the Islamic perspective as a reference framework for intercultural dialogue, asserting that the Islamic vision regards cultural plurality as a natural extension of universal laws. He supported his argument with the divine verse: *{O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another}*.
He further explained that Islam provided the first contractual formulation of pluralism in history through the "Constitution of Medina," which guaranteed the rights of all communities without discrimination. He stressed that dialogue within the Islamic framework is not a tool for dominance or cultural assimilation but rather a means for mutual enrichment and the safeguarding of human dignity.
Al-Sharif concluded his presentation by proposing several practical mechanisms to achieve coexistence in the digital age, including:
- Promoting the culture of tolerance and acceptance of others while confronting exclusionary attempts.
- Combating all forms of extremism, terrorism, and hate speech through digital media.
As reported by altreeq.com.
