The College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) hosted a special seminar given by Dr. Ibrahim Zain, Professor, CIS, on how the covenants of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) could shape the future of interreligious relations.

Titled “The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Pact of ‘Umar, and the Future of Interreligious Relations,” Dr. Zain’s talk detailed his work as part of an HBKU team on a special project to document, collate and index copies of the covenants which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) issued to non-Muslim communities. He also elaborated on how the covenants eventually became forgotten over time when the Pact of ‘Umar began gaining prominence within the Abbasid Caliphate from 750-1258.

Dr. Zain highlighted that these covenants could provide guidance on how Islamic and other religious communities can build bridges with one another, benefitting the future of interreligious relations.

“These covenants reveal how the Prophet (PBUH) envisioned how Muslims should respect non-Muslim communities, clearly outlining how their lives, property, and faith must be treated with kindness. These principles still hold relevance today and could help foster constructive and healthy dialogue on how the future of interreligious relations may look like,” said Dr. Zain.

CIS is a result of a visionary approach to Islamic studies and the thought leadership that defines its contributions on the national, regional, and global scales. The College is a uniquely composed platform that contributes to the intellectual debate and constructive dialogue surrounding Islam in a global context.