Preamble
Humanity stands at a defining moment. Never before has knowledge been so accessible, technology so powerful, or communication so immediate. Artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and unprecedented connectivity are expanding human capabilities and opening new frontiers in education, healthcare, agriculture, scientific discovery, and economic development.Yet these advances are accompanied by profound challenges. The spread of misinformation and manipulation, the erosion of privacy, growing social polarization, the widening digital divide, and the availability of harmful and degrading content pose serious risks to individuals and societies. Children and young people, in particular, face increasing exposure to influences that can undermine ethical, mental, social, and emotional development. Concerns are also growing that over-reliance on technology may weaken critical thinking,
creativity, independent judgment, and the capacity for meaningful human relationships.These challenges reveal a fundamental reality: humanity’s greatest need today is not more information, but wiser guidance in the use of information. The central question is no longer what technology can do, but what it should do, and for whose benefit More than fourteen centuries ago, the Qur’an opened with a command that remains profoundly relevant to every age:
Read in the name of your Lord who created; Created man from a clinging substance; Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous; Who taught by the Pen; Taught man what he did not know.(Qur’an 96:1-5)
These first revealed verses established a worldview in which knowledge is sacred, learning is continuous, and discovery is an act of worship when pursued in the name of God. They point simultaneously to the study of creation, the
pursuit of knowledge, the importance of teaching and communication symbolized by the Pen, and the humility that comes from recognizing that all human knowledge ultimately derives from and remains limited before the knowledge of Allah. Iqra’ was never merely a call to literacy. It was, and remains, a call to the integration of knowledge and wisdom, innovation and responsibility, power and accountability. The Qur’an does not specifically address artificial intelligence, digital economies, or precision agriculture. Yet its enduring principles of human dignity, justice, mercy, consultation, stewardship, and accountability provide a timeless moral compass by which every new technology can be evaluated and directed toward the common good.It is in this spirit that we, the co-organizers and partner institutions of the IQRA’ 2026 Global Conference, adopt this Declaration.We Affirm
1. Human Dignity Is the Measure of All Progress.Every human being carries God-given dignity that transcends race, nationality, gender, and social status. (Qur’an 17:70) No technology, policy, or system of innovation may be pursued at the expense of that dignity.
2. Knowledge Is a Sacred Trust.Learning, research, and innovation are moral responsibilities, not merely technical pursuits. (Qur’an 96:1-5) Revelation and reason are complementary, not adversarial. Ethical wisdom and scientific advancement must grow together.
3. Artificial Intelligence Must Serve Humanity, Not Displace Its Values.The governance of AI and digital systems must be guided by truth, transparency, accountability, privacy, and respect for human dignity. Algorithms must never be permitted to entrench injustice, manipulate public discourse, or erode human autonomy
4. Education Must Cultivate Wisdom, Not Only Transmit Information.In an age where information is instantly available, the measure of education shifts from what is memorized to what is discerned. We affirm that the Qur’an should be foundational in education at every level, providing the ethical framework, moral vision, and sense of purpose that guide the pursuit and application of knowledge. We therefore support the integration of Qur’anic values and ethical guidance with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), from early childhood through the highest levels of learning, so that rising generations acquire not only knowledge and capability, but also the wisdom, character, and responsibility to use them in service to humanity and the common good.
5. Innovation in Agriculture and Food Systems Is a Matter of Justice and Stewardship. The earth is a trust, not merely a resource. (Qur’an 6:141; 7:56) We affirm the responsible application of technology, including precision agriculture, smart farming, and climate-resilient food systems, to advance food security, protect the vulnerable, and safeguard the earth for future generations.
6. Progress Must Include Everyone.The full participation of women in science, technology, research, education, and leadership is essential to human flourishing, not incidental to it. (Qur’an 9:71) Likewise, the energy, creativity, and leadership of youth must be actively cultivated as indispensable resources for shaping the future.
7. Justice Is the Foundation of Sustainable Development.Economic transformation, technological advancement, and sustainable development are legitimate only when guided by fairness, accountability, and equitable access to their benefits. (Qur’an 4:135; 5:8).
8. Cooperation Is the Path Forward.No single nation, institution, or civilization can meet these challenges alone. (Qur’an 5:2) We affirm consultation (Shūrā), partnership, mutual respect, and shared responsibility among governments, international organization, universities, and civil society as the foundation for building a better future together.We Commit guided by these principles, the co organizers and partner institutions of IQRA’ 2026 commit to:
1. Advancing the ethical development and governance of artificial intelligence in accordance with human dignity, transparency, and accountability;
2. Strengthening cooperation between universities, research institutions, and international organizations to integrate ethical reflection into STEAM education and educational reform at every level;
3. Supporting technology-enabled solutions to food security and sustainable agriculture, particularly for vulnerable and developing communities;
4. Expanding the leadership role of women and youth in science, technology, innovation, and public life;
5. Establishing enduring channels of cooperation among participating institutions in order to translate shared principles into practical action and measurable outcomes;
6. Encouraging joint research projects, academic partnerships, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and exchanges among coalition members and partner institutions;
7. Reviewing progress on these commitments on a regular basis, with transparency toward one another and toward the communities we serve;
8. Supporting periodic consultations, conferences, working groups, and collaborative initiatives that strengthen relationships among participating institutions and sustain momentum between major gatherings Sustaining Cooperation Beyond the Conference Recognizing that the aspirations expressed by the conference participants and reflected in this Declaration require continuity, coordination, and shared effort, we reaffirm our commitment to the ongoing cooperation among the institutions represented at this Conference and to the continued work of the Coordination Committee that has helped bring this partnership into being.We encourage the continued engagement of governments, international organizations, universities, research centers, civil society organizations, and experts in advancing the principles of ethical AI and human-centered development. Through regular consultation, the exchange of expertise, the sharing of best practices, and the development of joint initiatives, we seek to transform shared principles into meaningful and measurable action.Our cooperation shall be guided by partnership rather than hierarchy, service rather than competition, mutual respect rather than institutional rivalry, and a shared commitment to the well-being of humanity. Recognizing that implementation requires both expertise and collaboration, IQRA’, together with its partners and its international network of scholars, scientists, educators, technologists, and policy experts, stands ready to support participating institutions by facilitating dialogue, sharing knowledge, connecting expertise, and assisting efforts to translate the principles of this Declaration into practical programs, educational initiatives, research collaborations, and public policy recommendations. This Declaration marks not the conclusion of our work, but the strengthening of a shared journey of cooperation, learning, and service dedicated to building a more ethical, just, and human-centered future.
Our Call
We call upon governments, educators, scientists, innovators, development institutions, faith communities, and people of goodwill everywhere to join us in building a digital age guided not only by what humanity can do, but by what humanity should do.We choose knowledge over ignorance, dialogue over division, justice over inequity, mercy over indifference, and cooperation over isolation.
We recognize that declarations alone do not change the world. Progress requires relationships, perseverance, shared learning, and collective action. Therefore, through this Declaration, we affirm not only common aspirations but also a continuing commitment to work together in pursuit of them. We invite all who share these principles to participate in this ongoing journey of cooperation and service.
Together, let us build a future worthy of the trust with which humanity
has been entrusted.
On behalf of:
International Qur’an Research Association (IQRA’)
Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizing
(ICESCO)
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS)
Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF)
Union of the OIC News Agencies (UNA-OIC)
Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW)
Awqaf South Africa
Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria
(FOMWAN