Al-Ummah formally opened an office in Dhaka on Aug. 15 to manage its monthly journal and official website. This will expedite “strengthening knowledge, research, and constructive intellectual dialogue on a global scale,” according to Al-Ummah officials.

The inaugural function marked a step forward in developing Al-Ummah as an international platform for researchers, academics, policymakers, journalists, and young thinkers to discuss and exchange views on contemporary global issues, the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah, and knowledge-based solutions.

Former Religious Affairs Adviser to the Interim Government Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, who attended the event as chief guest, emphasized the importance of developing a new generation of writers. He said Al-Ummah could bring promising writers together on a common platform. Assuring his full cooperation with the initiative, he said it could help further strengthen the true spirit of the Muslim Ummah.

Presiding over the event, Professor Naqib Muhammad Nasrullah, former Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University, Bangladesh, said the Ummah was going through various hardships and lagging in several fields in the contemporary world. However, he stressed that there was no reason for despair.

Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Chairman of Al-Ummah Foundation and Editor of Al-Ummah Journal, said there is no strong media platform at the governmental or private level in the Muslim world worth mentioning. He lamented the sad phasing out of the International Islamic News Agency (IINA), which was established under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Zakir drew the attention of the OIC toward an acute shortage of television channels, newspapers, magazines, and news agencies serving Muslim interests. He urged the organization to have a robust media system to highlight the interests and realities of the Muslim world. Such a media platform, he said, would operate in a neutral and non-political manner, with the primary objective of working for the welfare of the entire Muslim Ummah by utilizing the power of the media.

Habibullah Muhammad Iqbal, Chairman of Tazimul Ummah Foundation, urged Al-Ummah Foundation to make an effective contribution to building a new Bangladesh. Calling on everyone to work collectively rather than blaming the government or others, he said: “Al-Ummah Foundation, established by Zakir Bhai, should be developed as a true symbol of a united Ummah.”

Sabbir Ahmed, Principal of Cordova School and College, said that if one wants to undertake any constructive work, the media is the first and foremost medium.

Senior journalist Saleh Ahmed said that media professionals must play a responsible role as social spokespersons themselves. A social spokesperson carries enormous responsibility, and fulfilling that responsibility requires extensive reading, proper knowledge, and subject-based expertise, he said.

Writer and columnist Dr. Iqbal Kabir Mohon said that alongside producing quality and skilled writers, a strong editorial panel consisting of competent editors should be formed to properly edit their writings. He emphasized a strict editorial process to ensure the quality of writing, accuracy of information, and professional standards of journalism.

Dr. Khalilur Rahman Madani, Principal of Dhaka Tamirul Millat Madrasa, said that the day begins with the call, “Prayer is better than sleep.” Although human life is conducted around economics and money, there is a need to rethink various prevailing concepts regarding this matter. Quoting the Quranic verse, “Is it you who cause it to grow, or am I the One who causes it to grow?”, he highlighted the need for deep thinking about wealth and economics.

At the event, the speakers said that everyone associated with Al-Ummah can play an important role in presenting genuine, informative, and truthful information before the nation. They also expressed the expectation that delivering accurate information to people would contribute to the welfare of society and the Muslim Ummah.

The speakers wished success for Al-Ummah Foundation, the journal, and the website and called upon people from all walks of life to extend their cooperation to everyone associated with the initiative.

The event also highlighted the importance of building a knowledge-based society, the intellectual revival of the Muslim world, research cooperation, responsible media, and global dialogue. The speakers said that in the present world, sustainable development, peace, and intellectual leadership can be established only through the integration of knowledge, technology, and strategic cooperation.

Those concerned said that Al-Ummah began its journey out of the need to expand research-based and intellectual discourse to address the political, economic, and cultural challenges of the Muslim world in the current global system, rather than relying solely on emotion-based approaches. The journal aims to create a new field of knowledge-based discussion by publishing research papers, analytical articles, policy papers, opinion-based writings, and special reports on international affairs.

Currently, Al-Ummah is being published in four languages — Bangla, English, Arabic, and Turkish. The organizers said there are plans to add several more languages in the future. Through this, they expect the platform to further expand knowledge exchange and intellectual cooperation among researchers and thinkers from different regions of the world, as well as create a field for strategic connectivity and knowledge-based cooperation among the member states of the OIC.