Religious institutions in the contemporary nation-state were established to represent the character of the Muslim society in our country and to preserve the identity of those Islamic communities that belong to the religion of Islam, which the majority of its inhabitants adhere to. When we talk about national identity in Arab countries, it is primarily the Islamic identity that reflects the majority affiliation of its people. Although there are other religious affiliations, Islam and the law guarantee their rights, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Book of Allah Almighty: "There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing." (Al-Baqarah: 256).

It is incorrect to claim that the national identity in Muslim countries does not belong to Islam or that Islam has no place in it. This is a major fallacy propagated by some thinkers who are nominally affiliated with Islam but are intellectually inclined towards Western civilization. There is a significant difference between Muslim countries and non-Muslim countries in terms of identity.

Religious institutions in Muslim countries play a significant role in reinforcing national identity

There is no doubt that religious institutions in Muslim countries have a very significant role in strengthening national identity and fostering a sense of belonging to our Muslim nations where Allah is worshipped, His name is mentioned, and His laws are applied. Some of the key ways in which religious institutions contribute to preserving national identity include:

Firstly: The Responsibility of Performing Religious Rites:

The Ministry of Awqaf (Endowments) or the Authority of Religious Affairs in Muslim countries is responsible for the performance of religious rites. This includes building mosques and providing places of worship for people, which contributes to the psychological stability of the populace regarding the state and its duty to serve the people in practicing their religious rituals. This, in turn, enhances national loyalty through the services provided in Islamic matters.

When people see that mosques are thriving, well-maintained, and properly cared for, they appreciate the state's efforts. This helps in preserving the national fabric and maintaining national identity by fulfilling the responsibility of performing religious rites such as prayer, facilitating the payment of zakat and its distribution to those entitled to it under the supervision of the state, and making it easier for people to go on pilgrimage to the Holy House of Allah, among other rituals.

The Ministry of Awqaf (Endowments) or the Authority of Religious Affairs is responsible for the performance of religious rites

Secondly: The Care for the Holy Quran and the Sunnah:

Another primary responsibility of religious institutions in our country is the care for the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet. This is achieved by providing Quran learning centers, Quranic study circles, and organizing Quran and Sunnah competitions. They also focus on printing the Quran, books of Tafsir (Quranic interpretation), Quranic sciences, books of Hadith (Prophetic traditions), and the sciences of Hadith. Additionally, they produce radio and television programs dedicated to Tafsir, Quranic sciences, recitation, and Tajweed (proper pronunciation during recitation), as well as programs on the Sunnah. This encourages people to engage with the Quran and the Sunnah, drawing from their teachings the love for their homeland and a sense of belonging to this religion and the land that upholds its principles.

The Quran discourages staying in a country where religious rites are not performed, freedoms are not respected, and the Book of Allah is not cared for, as stated by Allah the Almighty: "Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves - [the angels] will say, 'In what [condition] were you?' They will say, 'We were oppressed in the land.' The angels will say, 'Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?' For those, their refuge is Hell - and evil it is as a destination. (97) Except for the oppressed among men, women, and children who cannot devise a plan nor are they directed to a way." (An-Nisa: 97-98).

Thirdly: Innovation in Religious Services:

Religious institutions provide numerous services to citizens, contributing to the enhancement of national identity within the country and achieving a sense of satisfaction with government performance. This fosters stability among all sects and strengthens the relationship between the people and the authorities. Religious institutions should focus on developing and innovating the services they offer.

Vital Duties of Religious Institutions in Our Nation: Preserving the Holy Quran and Prophetic Sunnah

For example, in the "Fatwa Service," the forms and formats of fatwas should be varied. It is not enough to rely solely on direct visits to meet with muftis for their opinions. There are advanced services, such as telephone fatwas and electronic fatwas. Additionally, there are services like applying for scholarships in Islamic sciences, searching for mosques, booking halls in mosques for cultural and religious activities, subscribing to electronic Qur'anic recitations, subscribing to Qur'anic study circles, manuscript and library services, registration for religious activities for youth, girls, and children, religious media services, registration for Hajj and Umrah, and services guiding people to pay their zakat and donations to the Zakat House or state-approved institutions.

These religious services make people feel that the state cares for them and addresses their needs, even innovating services to satisfy them. This generates pride in the homeland and helps maintain national identity.

Fourthly: Lectures and Seminars on National Identity:

It must be known that Muslim countries are targeted by the enemies of Islam, who use various means to create division within the Muslim community. They aim to ignite disputes between rulers and the ruled, and among different sects and intellectual schools. Therefore, religious institutions must play a role in raising intellectual awareness and striving to avoid falling into the trap of conflict, which Allah has forbidden in His words: "And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (Al-Anfal: 46).

This verse offers a great solution to division, conflict, and disputes, reinforcing the concept of national unity and preserving national identity in Muslim countries. Allah made the foundation of judgment His command, for both rulers and the ruled, in His words: "And obey Allah and His Messenger." He then prohibited disputes that lead to failure and division within a single community, saying: "And do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart."

Religious Institutions' Duty: Promoting Intellectual Awareness and Conflict Avoidance

Let the call to preserve national identity in Muslim countries be through Friday sermons, mosque lessons, workshops, seminars, radio programs, and television programs supervised by religious institutions in each Muslim country.

Fifth: Jurisprudence of dealing with non-Muslims:

One of the most important roles of religious institutions is to educate people about the jurisprudence of dealing with non-Muslims, emphasizing that non-Muslims in our countries are part of our fabric and unity. Differences in religion do not mean conflict or war but rather containment, respect, and cooperation for the common good that benefits our countries and nations. Some non-Muslims in our countries have expressed themselves by saying: "I am Christian by religion, Muslim by identity, and belong to Arab-Islamic civilization despite being Christian."

Allah Almighty has provided us with a constitution for dealing with non-Muslims in two verses that are exquisite and precise, needing no further explanation. They are His saying: (Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. Allah only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion - [forbids] that you make allies of them. And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.) (Al-Mumtahanah), so the Qur'an distinguishes between two types of non-Muslims:

The first: Citizens of non-Muslims in our country, they have what we have, and upon them is what is upon us, so we have mutual rights and duties.

The second: Non-Muslims who want evil for our countries, so it is our duty to fight them, to protect our national identity in our countries, and not to allow them to suffer; in order we achieve national unity in the countries of the Muslims

One of the most important roles of religious institutions is to educate people on the jurisprudence of dealing with non-Muslims

Muslims should take pride that the first civil constitution in history was the Constitution of Medina, through which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, achieved national unity among all residents of Medina, including Muslims, Jews, Christians, and polytheists, as well as various ethnic groups such as the Aus and Khazraj, Muhajirun and Ansar, and other Arab tribes. If there is a religion that roots for national unity and Islamic identity, Islam comes first.

These are concepts that religious institutions in our countries should strive to promote. While ministries of interior focus on achieving security through combating crime, ministries of religious affairs and religious institutions aim to achieve security through intellectual aspects. Both are indispensable wings in any country.

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