The Muslim Council of Elders hosted at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi a delegation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, representing the United States of America, the Middle East, and North Africa. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in interfaith dialogue and to entrench values of peace, understanding, and societal harmony.
His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam affirmed that the Muslim Council of Elders—under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar—places particular emphasis on building bridges of communication among religious leaders worldwide. This commitment aligns with the principles of the historic Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity, which serves as a comprehensive global framework for promoting dialogue and coexistence.
For their part, the delegation praised the positive image of Islam projected by the United Arab Emirates through its pioneering efforts to advance tolerance, respect for religious and cultural diversity, and pluralism, establishing the UAE as an inspiring global model for dialogue, coexistence, and peace. They also expressed deep appreciation for the Muslim Council of Elders’ global role in fostering peace and mutual understanding across religions and cultures, highlighting the Council’s pioneering initiatives worldwide in support of human fraternity and in combating hate speech. They also conveyed their pride in the visit paid by a Muslim Council of Elders delegation to Utah last September, during which meetings were held with Church leaders, as well as with religious, academic, and government figures in the American state.
Discussions also explored prospective joint initiatives and projects, particularly in the fields of interfaith dialogue, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and youth empowerment which are to be developed in the coming period, while aiming to promote tolerance, mutual respect, and a more peaceful and stable world.