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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.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received the Grand Mufti of Poland, affirming Al-Azhar and the Council’s commitment to strengthening ties with Muslim communities around the world, in a manner that promotes the values of citizenship, coexistence, and mutual respect.

For his part, the Grand Mufti of Poland emphasized the Polish Fatwa Council’s adherence to Al-Azhar’s enlightened and moderate approach, expressing his nation’s aspiration to enhance cooperation in order to advance a balanced religious discourse that promotes the values of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair hosted a cultural seminar titled “The 100 Questions Project in Methodology, Creed, and Sharia,” by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research, in the presence of scholars, intellectuals, and individuals engaged in intellectual and religious affairs.

The seminar presented an intellectual and scholarly examination of the book “The 100 Questions Project in Methodology, Creed, and Sharia,” which represents the outcome of a collaborative academic effort between Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders. The work aims to provide well-grounded and balanced answers to a number of contemporary intellectual and theological questions and misconceptions raised within Muslim societies today, contributing to the promotion of sound religious awareness, the entrenchment of moderation and balance, and the confrontation of hate speech and extremist ideologies.

Dr. Samir Boudinar explained that the book draws upon a diverse range of scholarly and classical sources, including the Holy Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah, as well as works of theological debate, scholarly discourse, and refutation that have historically contributed to shaping doctrinal positions and reinforcing ethical and human values within Islamic civilization. He noted that the phenomena of misconceptions, extremism, hatred, and excess are not confined to Islamic culture alone, but rather constitute a global challenge affecting various cultures and societies.

The seminar also reviewed the book’s key themes, including methodological approaches to understanding religion, the relationship between reason and revelation, the principles governing legal opinions (fatwas) and the higher objectives of Sharia, and the role of creed in shaping human behavior. It further addressed issues such as excommunicatio, the concept of the caliphate, and other contemporary intellectual challenges, underscoring the importance of developing a balanced religious discourse that confronts extremism and promotes the values of peace and coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates, is participating at the 31st Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair, which runs until 10 May 2026. The pavilion showcases more than 275 publications in five languages, alongside a diverse program of seminars and cultural and intellectual events aimed at promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Rabat International Book Fair hosted a seminar titled “Toward a Philosophy for the Age of Wisdom: Reflections on Science, Revelation, and Philosophy,” featuring Dr. Mustafa Hijazi and moderated by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research, and was attended by a group of intellectuals, academics, and media professionals.

The seminar offered an in-depth intellectual reading of Dr. Mustafa Hijazi’s book “Seizing the Wind: Reflections on Science, Revelation, and Philosophy,” one of the latest 2026 publications by Al-Hokama Publishing. The work presents a critical vision of the trajectory of human civilization and explores the possibility of founding a new era grounded in wisdom, regarded as the missing link in a world rapidly advancing toward material and technological superiority at the expense of meaning and humanity.

Dr. Mustafa Hijazi explained that the book serves as an intellectual testimony to the major transformations experienced by humanity across the ages. It traces the evolution of both cosmic and human concepts from prehistoric times through the agricultural, industrial, and information eras, and into the age of artificial intelligence. He cautioned against the erosion of human meaning and the loss of intellectual freedom amid the dominance of technology and the accelerating pace of epistemic change.

Hijazi also emphasized that overcoming the current civilizational crisis requires restoring centrality to the questions of meaning and truth, beginning anew with the fundamental question of “why.” Such a reorientation, he noted, would contribute to redefining the relationship between humanity and science, education, society, the economy, and the media. He stressed that building an “Age of Wisdom” can only be achieved through the integration of revelation, philosophy, and human knowledge—moving beyond the false dichotomy between reason and meaning.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the 31st Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair, which runs until 10 May 2026. The pavilion showcases more than 275 publications in five languages, alongside a diverse program of seminars and cultural and intellectual events aimed at promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

As part of its commitment to strengthening international efforts to promote dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, peace, and human fraternity, the Muslim Council of Elders is participating, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates, at the 31st edition of the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat 2026. The Fair will take place from 30 April through May 10. The Council’s pavilion is held under the patronage and support of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, who has exerted significant efforts to promote and reinforce tolerance and coexistence at the local, regional, and international levels, and who consistently works to present the UAE model of tolerance and acceptance of others to the world as a successful and influential example across all spheres.

The pavilion participating in the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat features over 275 authored works and publications in five languages, including 25 new titles that address key contemporary intellectual issues and contribute to countering extremist ideology and correcting misconceptions. It also includes more than 20 publications by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, highlighting the tolerance of Islam and the richness of its intellectual and philosophical heritage. In addition, the pavilion showcases a selection of intellectual works by members of the Council and a distinguished group of thinkers and researchers, alongside a curated collection of translated books and select publications issued by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence.

His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary‑General of the Muslim Council of Elders, stated that the Council’s participation in the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat reflects its willingness to expand the horizons of cultural and intellectual dialogue and to strengthen its global humanitarian presence. He emphasized that the Rabat Fair represents a comprehensive cultural and civilizational gathering and an important platform for exchanging ideas and enhancing dialogue among cultures, in line with the Council’s mission to build bridges of understanding and communication. He further noted the Council’s commitment to presenting well‑grounded intellectual content that contributes to confronting hate speech and extremist thought, promotes the values of coexistence and tolerance, and highlights the civilizational image of Islam based on dialogue, coexistence, and mutual respect.

For her part, Her Excellency Afra Al Sabri, Director General of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, affirmed that cooperation with the Muslim Council of Elders in this international cultural event reflects the UAE’s commitment to promoting and strengthening the values of tolerance and coexistence globally. She added that the joint participation is an important platform for showcasing the UAE’s pioneering experience in translating human values into a practical and exemplary reality, and that the pavilion embodies the UAE’s global role in raising awareness and building bridges of communication among cultures.

Al Sabri also praised the cooperation between the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and the Muslim Council of Elders in this field, affirming that it comes as part of a long series of collaboration and partnership aimed at strengthening human values at the local and global levels.

The Council’s pavilion will also feature a selection of prominent titles, including “Al‑Qawl Al‑Tayeb,” “From My Old Notebooks,” and “Ethics and Values” by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar; “Love in the Holy Qur’an” by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad Al‑Hashemi, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders; “The Pope and the Grand Imam: The Thorny Path” by Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary‑General of the Muslim Council of Elders; “Basis of Understanding from Thought and Language” by Dr. Mustapha Benhamza, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders; and the book “100 Questions on Methodology, Creed, and Sharia,” supervised and prefaced by Professor Dr. Nazir Ayyad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The book brings together 100 questions accompanied by calm, scholarly responses addressing the most prominent doubts exploited by extremist groups to incite discord, mislead youth, and cast uncertainty on Muslims’ understanding of their faith.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ participation in the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat stems from its mission to promote peace, entrench the values of dialogue and coexistence, and build bridges of cooperation among people of different races and beliefs. The Council’s pavilion (No. B52) is located in Hall B.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that empowering girls in information and communications technology (ICT) is a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development and building more balanced and equitable societies, stressing the importance of providing girls with equal access to education and training in modern technological fields.

In a statement issued on the occasion of International Girls in ICT Day, the Muslim Council of Elders said that investing in girls’ capabilities and expanding their participation in the technology sector helps unlock promising creative potential and strengthens their role in driving digital transformation and shaping the future, thereby advancing innovation and helping address rapidly evolving global challenges.

The statement noted that empowering girls in this field extends beyond technical skills alone to include fostering self-confidence and strengthening women’s presence in positions of influence and decision-making. It emphasized that achieving equality in educational and professional opportunities is a shared responsibility that requires coordinated international, institutional, and societal efforts.

The Muslim Council of Elders called for the launch of quality initiatives and specialized training programs aimed at equipping girls with skills in technology and artificial intelligence, while also creating supportive and innovation-friendly environments that enable girls to play an active role in building a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and contributing to a more prosperous and sustainable future.

The Muslim Council of Elders places great importance on raising awareness about the need to support and empower girls in the fields of science and technology, based on its belief that such empowerment represents a strategic investment in the future of humanity and reflects a moral and humanitarian commitment to building a more just and inclusive world founded on the values of cooperation, innovation, and peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that the world today is in urgent need of entrenching a culture of dialogue, strengthening multilateral action, and supporting diplomatic pathways aimed at resolving conflicts and settling crises through peaceful means, in order to safeguard regional and international security and stability.

In a statement issued on the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, observed annually on 24 April, the Muslim Council of Elders underscored that the escalating challenges facing the world—including armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, and growing polarization—demonstrate that achieving peace requires sincere political will, wise diplomacy, and international cooperation grounded in mutual respect, justice, and the protection of human dignity.

The statement noted that shared religious and humanitarian values call for elevating the language of wisdom, prioritizing the interests of peoples, and resorting to dialogue in addressing differences, affirming that peace is not a fleeting option but a shared moral and humanitarian responsibility that necessitates concerted international and regional efforts to protect human lives and preserve the resources of nations.

The Muslim Council of Elders called upon the international community, as well as religious, intellectual, and cultural institutions, to support all initiatives aimed at promoting peace, strengthening dialogue, and entrenching the values of human fraternity, as the sound foundation for building a more just, understanding, and cooperative world. The Council reiterated that just and lasting peace begins with faith in the value of the human being, respect for peoples’ right to security and dignity, and the adoption of diplomacy, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation as essential tools for shaping a future marked by stability and harmony.

The G20 Interfaith Forum Association (IF20) will hold its annual Forum in Salt Lake City, Utah, from October 15–17, 2026. With participation by the Muslim Council of Elders, the event will also bring together an international gathering of religious leaders, interfaith scholars, civil society representatives, and policymakers under the theme Interfaith Engagement for Policy Impact.

The Forum coincides with the United States of America’s presidency of the G20, with the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for December 14–15 in Miami. As a parallel engagement process, IF20 provides faith-informed perspectives on the priorities shaping the global agenda — because faith communities are embedded to the world’s great challenges, with 84% of the world’s population identifying as part of religious or faith institutions.

The Forum’s plenary and working sessions will address the three priority themes of the 2026 U.S. G20 presidency, plus a fourth theme of particular urgency. The themes are: Economic Growth for the Common Good, Energy Security for a Sustainable Future, AI and the Human Future and Interfaith Engagement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Additional themes — including the global food crisis, mental health, children’s issues, and refugees and displacement — will be addressed through the Forum’s working group sessions. 

The Muslim Council of Elders had co-organized the 2025 G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20) which was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from August 10 to 14, 2025, under the theme “Ubuntu in Action: Focusing on Marginalized Communities.” During the 2025 forum, the Council reaffirmed its willingness to strengthen its presence and impact across Africa through innovative initiatives focused on peacebuilding, empowering local religious actors, and expanding partnerships with regional institutions through dialogue, tolerance and coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, affirms that the books constitute a foundational pillar in shaping human consciousness and a powerful instrument for promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, as well as for strengthening mutual understanding among cultures and peoples.

In a statement issued on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day, observed annually on 23 April, the Muslim Council of Elders emphasized that knowledge remains the most effective means of confronting hatred, ignorance, and extremism, and that investment in reading and publishing is an investment in a more stable and peaceful future. The Council noted that building an aware and enlightened individual begins with a responsible word, sound thought, and a book that broadens horizons of knowledge and reinforces the values of human fraternity—values that represent an authentic path toward a world grounded in understanding and coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders called upon cultural, educational, and media institutions to continue their efforts to promote a culture of reading, encourage authorship, and expand access to books—particularly among children and youth—in ways that enhance awareness, entrench the values of dialogue and respect for diversity, and lay the foundations for more cohesive societies capable of fostering peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders continues to exert concerted efforts to combat hatred and extremism and to correct misconceptions through Al-Hokama Publishing, which has produced over 275 publications in over five languages to date. These efforts contribute to broadening access to knowledge, disseminating enlightened and moderate thought, reinforcing the values of dialogue and coexistence, and building bridges of cultural and civilizational exchange among peoples.