October 7, 2023

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to Visit Iraq in January 2024

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, is scheduled to visit the Republic of Iraq in January 2024, for the very first time.

The Grand Imam expressed his joy in visiting Iraq, a land steeped in history, the cradle of Arab identity, and a homeland of civilization and prophets. His Eminence also conveyed his deep appreciation and affection for the Iraqi people.

For his part, the Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani expressed his delight at the anticipated and significant visit of the Grand Imam, which is eagerly awaited by Iraqis of all backgrounds. He also emphasized the high regard in which His Eminence is held regionally, within the Islamic world, and internationally and stressed that the Grand Imam’s upcoming visit to Iraq will be of great interest to all Iraqis and will undoubtedly resonate deeply with Muslims, given Al-Azhar’s esteemed position as the world’s largest Islamic institution.

This visit also holds paramount importance for His Eminence the Grand Imam, particularly in terms of supporting Islamic causes. Foremost among these is the unity, solidarity, and cohesion of the Muslim world. Preparations for the Grand Imam’s Iraq visit had commenced at an earlier stage but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Religions and Climate Change: Southeast Asia’ Conference Sends a Message of Support and Hope to Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Abu Dhabi

‘Religions and Climate Change: Southeast Asia’ Conference Issues a Loud Call Against Irresponsible Policies that Exacerbate Climate Change

‘Religions and Climate Change: Southeast Asia’ Conference Calls on Leaders, Officials, Policymakers, and Businessmen to Take Urgent Action to Reduce the Causes and Negative Impacts of Climate Change

The ‘Religions and Climate Change: Southeast Asia’ conference, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar concluded in Jakarta, Indonesia with attendance by 150 representatives from various religions in the Southeast Asia region, along with scholars, thinkers, and youth engaged in climate change issues. The conference discussed the role of religions in addressing the negative impacts of climate change, conveying a message of hope to the Global Summit of Religious Leaders and Icons scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on November 6 and 7.

The conference’s participants expressed their support for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the end of the year. They also expressed hope for positive outcomes that will contribute to finding effective solutions to the issue of climate change for a better future for humanity.

The concluding remarks of the conference emphasized that religious leaders bear a historical responsibility to contribute to the protection of planet earth which involves making a strong call against irresponsible policies that exacerbate the climate crisis. The remarks also urged leaders, policymakers, economists, and businesspeople to take urgent action to mitigate the causes of climate change and the subsequent negative effects that threaten life on earth.

Furthermore, the statement called for the necessity of directing and enhancing community participation in supporting various initiatives for sustaining community life. This includes transitioning to environmentally friendly energy, implementing circular economies, incorporating religious education programs (both formal and informal), and raising awareness about environmental issues. It also advocated for regular dialogue between figures and business leaders to in an effort to reach ethical, and religious values in business practices.

Within Southeast Asia, the remarks urged religious leaders at both the regional and community levels to participate in efforts to address climate change by leveraging faith-based teachings and all forms of religious practices in an attempt to increase community awareness in dealing with the impacts of climate change, including prevention, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Additionally, it called for the promotion of education and the inclusion of education on climate change and sustainable development as part of religious teachings and practices in a bid to change societal behaviors towards the environment.

Indonesia’s former Minister of Religious Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, delivered the closing remarks and handed a copy of them to Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, in order for them to be submitted during the Global Summit of Religious Leaders and Icons, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in November, as a precursor to the COP28 conference in Dubai.

The Indonesian capital Jakarta hosted a conference on the role of religions in addressing the negative impacts of climate change under the theme: ‘Reviving Religious Values and Local Cultures in Addressing Climate Change for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development’. The conference was part of a series of conferences organized by the Muslim Council of Elders to engage representatives of various religions and to generate ideas and solutions to reduce the negative impacts of climate change and raise awareness of its risks in preparation for the Global Summit of Religious Leaders and Icons, which will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 6 and 7. Additionally, the Muslim Council of Elders will organize the ‘Faith Pavilion at COP28’, hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the end of the current year, for the first time in the history of the Conference of the Parties. The pavilion is expected to serve as a global platform for interfaith dialogue on addressing the issue of climate change.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has today met with Haji Yahya Cholil Staquf, the Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Organization, in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. During the meeting, the pair discussed potential ways to enhance mutual cooperation for the benefit of the Islamic world.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders expressed his appreciation for the Nahdlatul Ulama Organization, considered the largest Islamic association in Indonesia, for its efforts in the fields of preaching, education, and social work. He also noted that the regional office of the Muslim Council of Elders in Indonesia has a clear strategy to collaborate with major institutions and associations and to promote values of goodness, justice, love, coexistence, and peace with the additional aim of enhancing the role of scholars and reviving Islamic heritage.

For his part, the Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Organization congratulated the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders on the opening of the Council’s regional office in Jakarta, and the success of the ‘Religions and Climate Change’ conference. He further expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Council under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in crystallizing a vision for religious leaders and symbols to face global challenges, including climate change. He also expressed his anticipation for further cooperation with the Muslim Council of Elders in various projects and initiatives that serve the Islamic world. The Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Organization also praised the Muslim Council of Elders and COP28’s imitative to establish a ‘Faith Pavilion’ for the first time in the history of the Conference of Parties. He affirmed the organization’s keenness to participate in the global summit of leaders and symbols of religions on the issue of climate change, which will be held by the Muslim Council of Elders in Abu Dhabi in November.