ISLAMABAD: Islamic religious, political and civil leaders have united in a historic campaign to improve access to education for girls and women.

The Islamabad Declaration for Girls’ Education affirms girls’ education as both a religious obligation and societal necessity.

It brings together a diverse range of religious schools of law including Deobandi, Hanafi and Haqqani schools, as well as gender activists like Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai and political and civil society leaders.

The declaration was signed during a conference in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, convened by Saudi Arabia’s Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars.

“I am imagining this conference as a beginning of a new journey, where we commit to a future for every girl to have access to complete quality education,” Yousafzai said in a statement.

“I want to thank the Muslim World League. Your Excellency Al-Issa; you have brought us together to address the barriers holding girls back from their right to go to school.”

Al-Issa added that the gathering “will not merely be a ‘call,’ a ‘declaration,’ or simply a ‘statement of stance.’

“Rather, it will represent a qualitative transformation in supporting girls’ education — a change that will bring joy to every deprived girl,” he said.

Religious leaders who affirmed the declaration include senior figures from the Deobandi school in Pakistan and India, leading Hanafi jurists, and the presidency of Darul Uloom Haqqania, Sheikh Anwarul Haq Haqqani.

Others included the Grand Mufti of Pakistan Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani; the Mufti of Egypt Sheikh Dr. Nazir Mohammad Ayad; the Amir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Pakistan) Sheikh Fazl-ul-Rahman bin Mufti Mahmood; the President of Ulema Council of Pakistan Sheikh Tahir Mahmoud Ashrafi; and the President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (India) Sheikh Syed Arshad Madani.

“This gathering brings together the intellectual capital of the Muslim world not just to appreciate the enormity of the challenge we face, but also as a declaration of our resolve to overcome all these impediments,” said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In addition, the Muslim World League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation agreed on a number of practical measures to improve access to education.

One of these measures is an awareness campaign by a number of educational centers and scholars.

Another is a new Islamic Educational Alliance drawing on a diverse and influential network of religious leaders, intellectuals, policy experts and academics from leading Islamic universities worldwide

The Muslim World League will also partner with a number of international organizations including the UN Refugee Agency and UN University for Peace to further the cause of providing access to education for women.

The summit brought together more than 150 dignitaries from 44 Muslim and other friendly states, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

RIYADH: Arabic-speaking students will gain access to a significant collection of international sheet music, songbooks and instrument method books as part of a new agreement.

The Saudi Music Commission is partnering with Muse Group, owner of Hal Leonard — the world’s largest publisher of sheet music.

Along with Dar Nasher, the partnership will bring Hal Leonard’s material to a Saudi and wider Arabic-speaking audience, which the group said will create opportunities for musicians and teachers throughout the region.

Mo Chandi, COO of Muse Group, visited Riyadh to formalize the deal. “This partnership is about creating a connection between music education and cultural identity,” he said.

In an interview with Arab News, Chandi discussed the importance of cultural relevance in music education.

“Understanding music is not merely about technical skills; it’s also about appreciating the cultural context from which it arises. If you don’t understand certain pieces, you miss out on their cultural significance,” he added.

Chandi highlighted the Saudi Music Commission’s commitment to developing an Arabic-first set of books that translate the language and adapt content to resonate with local culture.

“Our goal is to ensure that young musicians can connect with their heritage while learning,” he added.

“We have an opportunity to elevate Arabic instruments to an international stage, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve. The goal is to create an environment that fosters creativity and cultural growth.”

The significance of representation in music education is also a key focus for Chandi. “By showcasing Arabic instruments and music, children in Saudi Arabia will find relatable role models, inspiring them to pursue their musical interests while staying connected to their cultural roots,” he said.

The immediate focus of the partnership will be to translate Hal Leonard’s titles into Arabic and make them available in schools and libraries across the Kingdom.

“This effort will benefit students and enrich the broader music community by making quality educational resources widely accessible,” Chandi said.

He envisions a framework where children can explore music from an early age, cultivating their talents and potentially leading to a new generation of musicians from Saudi Arabia.

“We aim for a future where Saudi children can gain recognition on the global music stage,” he said. “Every child should have access to music education, as it can change their world.”