On the International Day of Living Together in Peace – Muslim Council of Elders Calls for Strengthening the Values of Peace and Coexistence in the Face of Hatred, Extremism, and Conflict
The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has affirmed that fostering a culture of living together in peace is among the most essential means of building stable, cohesive societies capable of confronting hate speech, intolerance, and violence. The Council emphasized that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but rather a comprehensive framework grounded in mutual respect, the preservation of human dignity, and the promotion of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence.
In a statement issued on the International Day of Living Together in Peace, observed annually on May 16, the Council stressed that the world is now in urgent need of a comprehensive strategy to promote a culture of understanding and rapprochement among peoples, religions, and cultures. It also underscored the importance of advancing the values of human fraternity, solidarity, and cooperation, particularly in light of the ongoing crises, wars, and conflicts worldwide, as well as the rising tide of hate speech, racism, and extremism—trends that threaten societal security and stability and undermine prospects for peace and sustainable development.
The Council further noted that Islam, along with all divine religions, seeks to instill the values of mercy, peace, and mutual understanding among humanity. It called on religious, educational, media, and cultural institutions to fulfill their responsibilities in fostering a human-centered awareness that promotes acceptance of others and respect for diversity, while countering attempts to sow division and discord. The Council affirmed that genuine investment in the future of humanity begins with nurturing individuals who are capable of positive coexistence and contributing to the advancement of peace.
Since its establishment in Abu Dhabi in 2014, the Muslim Council of Elders has played a pivotal role in promoting peace and advancing the values of dialogue, tolerance, fraternity, mutual understanding, and rapprochement among religions and cultures. This has been achieved through pioneering initiatives such as “East–West Dialogue” and the “International Peace Convoys,” which culminated in the historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019. In addition, the Council has launched numerous programs and initiatives, most notably the “Emerging Peacemakers Forum” and the “Human Fraternity Fellowship,” alongside intellectual publications and international conferences that contribute to strengthening dialogue, coexistence, and citizenship, while countering extremist ideologies and hate speech.