Ali Al-Qaradaghi, Secretary-General of the Global Union of Muslim Scholars, published an archival photograph featuring himself alongside prominent religious figures, including the late Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Tunisian Ennahda movement leader Rached Ghannouchi. The post coincided with the 100th anniversary of al-Qaradawi’s birth.
In the image, Al-Qaradaghi is seen descending the stairs of an aircraft, with Ghannouchi walking ahead while holding the hand of al-Qaradawi. They are accompanied by other clerics and preachers. Al-Qaradaghi described the photograph as holding a “dear place” in his heart, noting that it evokes memories of days, conversations, and incidents that remain vivid in his mind whenever he looks at it.
Marking the centenary of al-Qaradawi, born on September 9, 1926, Al-Qaradaghi recalled numerous shared experiences and lessons learned from the scholar, who passed away in September 2022. He remembered their interactions, characterized by both agreement and disagreement, and reflected on the various circumstances they endured together. Al-Qaradawi served as the founder and first president of the Global Union of Muslim Scholars, while Al-Qaradaghi holds the position of its third president.
Describing al-Qaradawi, Al-Qaradaghi referred to him as a jurist rooted in the school of jurisprudence and moderation, with a long career dedicated to education, preaching, and legal reasoning. In contrast, he characterized Ghannouchi as a man of thought, politics, and leadership.
The post also addressed Ghannouchi’s current situation, noting his continued imprisonment in Tunisia since his arrest in 2023. Al-Qaradaghi cited a report by Amnesty International this month, which stated that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detachment concluded that Ghannouchi’s detention was arbitrary under international law.
Reflecting on the legacy of al-Qaradawi, Al-Qaradaghi wrote, “Some men leave this world, but their voices remain in memory, and the words they spoke at a specific moment seem as if they were said yesterday. I have much of that regarding Sheikh Yusuf.” He emphasized that despite the passage of time, the intellectual and spiritual presence of the late scholar continues to resonate through his recorded words and past associations.
