Muhammad al-Issa

Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa (born June 10, 1965) is a globally recognized advocate for moderate Islam serving as Secretary General of the Muslim World League. He is also President of the International Islamic Halal Organization and Chairman of the Centre for Responsible Leadership.

Al-Issa earned a bachelor's degree in Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, along with a master's degree and PhD in Comparative Judicial Studies (Constitutional Law). He worked as a faculty member at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University after graduation.

Career history

• Vice President of the Board of Grievances (2007–2009)
• Saudi Minister of Justice (February 14, 2009 – January 30, 2015), where he oversaw key reforms in family matters, humanitarian cases, and women's rights
• Secretary General of the Muslim World League (August 4, 2016 – present)
• Member of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia (since 2016)
• Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars (since 2016)

Under Al-Issa's leadership, the Muslim World League has frequently participated in and hosted international events, in addition to playing an active role in humanitarian aid projects around the world. In January 2025, he convened a conference in Islamabad to support girls' education in the Muslim world. His most significant achievement is the Charter of Makkah (May 2019), endorsed by more than 1,200 notable Muslim scholars, which calls for combatting hate speech, violence, extremism, and terrorism while advancing moderate Islam and interfaith partnership.

Al-Issa is widely recognized as a leading global voice on moderate Islam and heads the Intellectual Warfare Center, a body affiliated with the Saudi Defense Ministry dedicated to combating extremist and terrorist ideology. In January 2020, he led a delegation to Auschwitz concentration camp to mark the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation, and in 2017 met with Pope Francis to forge a first-of-its-kind agreement between the MWL and the Vatican. The American Jewish Committee has described him as 'the most powerful voice in the Muslim world promoting moderate Islam'.

What Mohammad Al-Issa could bring to his role as Secretary General of the Muslim World League: Drawing on a decade of international diplomatic engagement and demonstrated expertise in legal reform, Al-Issa brings proven capacity to convene diverse religious and political stakeholders toward unified action on existential challenges. His track record—from overhauling Saudi justice systems to brokering Abrahamic faith agreements—positions him to further expand the MWL's influence as a counter-extremism force and advocate for women's rights and interfaith cooperation globally.