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Dr. Mohammed Abdel Malik, Vice President of Al-Azhar University, Praises Muslim Council of Elders’ Efforts in Promoting Moderation, Human Fraternity, and Peaceful Coexistence

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair held its eighteenth cultural seminar, titled “Towards Sound Social Ethics.” The event featured Professor Dr. Mohammed Abdel Malik, Vice President of Al-Azhar University and a professor of Tafsir and Quranic Sciences, with Dr. Mohammed Jamal, a researcher at the Office for the Revival of Islamic Heritage at Al-Azhar Headquarters, serving as the moderator.

Dr. Abdel Malik opened the seminar by stressing that ethics are fundamental in Islam, underscoring the critical need to intertwine good conduct with devout worship in today’s society. He emphasized that a complete religion involves both adherence to God’s commands and the fulfillment of obligations towards fellow humans. Additionally, he highlighted that cultivating good character and managing behavior are central goals of Islamic worship.

Dr. Abdel Malik, Vice President of Al-Azhar University, emphasized that teaching children ethical behavior requires a collaborative effort, not limited to families alone but involving educational institutions and the media as well. He highlighted three effective upbringing strategies: observational learning, leading by example, and moral guidance, while cautioning against giving children unrestricted access to the digital world without supervision.

Dr. Abdel Malik also commended the Muslim Council of Elders for its role in promoting moderation, tolerance, Human fraternity, and coexistence through its seminars and publications at book fairs worldwide. He stressed how these efforts help forge a global community where people coexist as brothers in harmony rather than as adversaries. He specifically appreciated the Document on Human Fraternity, celebrated each year on February 4th.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a special stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide array of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of kindness, love, peace, and communal coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair is located next to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s stand, in Heritage Hall (Hall No. 4), at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair offers visitors a selection of the latest publications from Al-Hokama Publishing for the year 2025. Among the highlights is the book ‘On Public Culture’ by Dr. Ali Al-Anani, a professor of philosophy at the Faculties of Dar Al-Uloom and Usuluddin (Islamic Studies), who passed away in 1940.

In this book, Dr. Al-Anani considers the scope of public culture as defined by the esteemed leadership of the Faculty of Usuluddin. The book includes an introduction that discusses general intellectual life and the subject of culture, followed by a main text that delves into three issues: religious thinking, philosophical inquiry, and literature.

The author underscores that the concept of culture encompasses the entirety of human intellectual output from its earliest instances to modern times. This output is categorized into four major domains: religious thought, philosophical inquiry, literary efforts, and the sciences. He notes that religion represents the oldest form of human thinking, which subsequently gave rise to both philosophy and literature. From these two areas, the field of science developed. The domains of philosophy, literature, and science are all encompassed within the broad and overarching realm of religion, which is the earliest to emerge and remains the most inclusive to this day.

The author further advises that research into human intellectual production should start with religion, progress to philosophy, move on to literature, and end with science and its various branches. He points out that philosophical thought originally stemmed from religion during the ages of Tadween (compilation of knowledge), thus placing literature before philosophy in terms of historical emergence. Therefore, it is necessary to rank literature second after religion, followed by philosophy, and lastly science, in their historical order of development.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a special stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide array of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of kindness, love, peace, and communal coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair is located next to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s stand, in Heritage Hall (Hall No. 4), at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.

The stand of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Cairo International Book Fair hosted its 17th cultural seminar, titled “The Ethics of Dialogue in the Quran.” The event featured Prof. Dr. Nahla Al-Saeedi, Head of the Development Centre for International Students, and Prof. Dr. Abdel Fattah Khidr, Former Dean of the Faculty of Quranic Sciences at Al-Azhar University. The seminar was moderated by journalist Mr. Mohamed Gomaa, a presenter on the Quran Radio Network.

Opening the discussion, Dr. Nahla Al-Saeedi highlighted that the essence of dialogue is to foster peace, spread goodwill, and encourage mutual understanding and persuasion. She emphasized that the Quran teaches the most effective approach to dialogue—engaging with wisdom and in the best manner possible—which serves as the ideal path for shaping human behavior and nurturing intellectual convictions. She further noted that for dialogue to be meaningful, it must be built on strong foundations, adding that the real challenge is not in the values themselves but in our inability to put them into practice.

She added that the Quran serves as a timeless constitution for humanity, offering guidance for all eras and circumstances. It teaches essential forms of dialogue that uphold harmony in life—between leaders and their people, children and their parents, and even with those who hold opposing views. She highlighted the dialogues of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with his father and his son, which exemplify respect and humility.

Dr. Abdel Fattah Khidr emphasized that dialogue is the cornerstone of human interaction; without it, everything else is lost. It has been the foundation of understanding among people since the time of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). He noted that the Quran’s diverse examples of dialogue form the backbone of family and societal cohesion. Encouraging open communication within families, he warned that households begin to break down when silence replaces conversation. He also pointed out that a major reason for failed dialogue is the inability to truly listen, stressing that when communication within a family stops, its stability is at risk.

The former Dean of the Faculty of Quranic Studies urged those engaging in dialogue to adopt a gradual approach when addressing those with differing views, using appropriate evidence tailored to the audience and the nature of the discussion. He emphasized that the right kind of proof—particularly rational arguments—helps the mind accept dialogue and ensures that the conversation achieves its intended purpose.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a special stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide array of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of kindness, love, peace, and communal coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair is located next to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s stand, in Heritage Hall (Hall No. 4), at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair hosted its 16th cultural seminar, titled “The Shores of Arabic Poetry.” The event featured Prof. Dr. Saber Abdel Dayem, former Dean of the Faculty of Arabic Language in Zagazig and Chairman of the Universal League of Islamic Literature in Cairo. The seminar was moderated by Yasmin Obeid, a participant in the Emerging Peacemakers Forum. 

The seminar explored the richness of the Arabic language, its deep connection to the Quran, and Al-Azhar’s role in promoting Arabic and advancing the Arabization of sciences. It also emphasized that Islamic literature complements, rather than contradicts, Arabic literature, and highlighted the resilience of Arabic in the digital age, despite the increasing influence of foreign languages.

Opening the discussion, Prof. Dr. Saber Abdel Dayem described Arabic as a language of knowledge and life, firmly rooted among both Arabs and non-Arabs alike. While not exclusive to Arab speakers, he noted that Arabic needs greater global recognition and a stronger digital presence. He further stressed that Arabizing scientific disciplines requires significant translation efforts to keep pace with rapid advancements in various fields.

Prof. Dr. Abdel Dayem highlighted that the Arabic language remains vibrant in daily life, reflected in books, newspapers, magazines, radio broadcasts, and school textbooks. He praised the role of book fairs across the Arab and Islamic world, noting how they foster competition in Arabic-language publishing and disseminate knowledge across various fields, including literature, religion, and social sciences.

As part of the seminar, the former Dean of the Faculty of Arabic Language recited several of his poems at the Muslim Council of Elders’ stand. Among the highlights were Al-Jabal (“The Mountain”), which explores themes related to Mecca, and Al-Mosafir fi Sonbolat Al-Zamn (“The Traveler in the Stalks of Time”), a piece from the travel literature genre.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a special stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide array of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of kindness, love, peace, and communal coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair is located next to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s stand, in Heritage Hall (Hall No. 4), at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, affirmed that the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, stands as a pioneering model in promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and human fraternity while rejecting hate speech, extremism, fanaticism, and discrimination.  

In a statement marking the International Day of Human Fraternity, the Secretary-General emphasized that the ‘Document on Human Fraternity’, which is being celebrated today on the sixth anniversary of its signing in the UAE—in Abu Dhabi, the capital of tolerance—represents the most significant milestone in the history of interfaith dialogue in the modern era. He called for intensified efforts to spread the values of goodwill, love, and coexistence.

He added that as the world commemorates the International Day of Human Fraternity, there is a renewed determination to continue advancing the noble human values enshrined in this historic document. He also highlighted the profound efforts of two of the world’s most prominent religious leaders—His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church—who presented humanity with this remarkable document at a time when the world urgently needs the voice of religion to promote dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

The Secretary-General also extended his deepest appreciation and respect to all those who believed in the vision of the Document on Human Fraternity as well as those who supported and introduced it to the world as a beacon illuminating humanity’s path toward a better future—one where all people can live in security and peace under the umbrella of human fraternity.

Muslim Council of Elders: International Day of Human Fraternity is a Genuine Opportunity to Promote Tolerance and Coexistence Amid Global Challenges

Muslim Council of Elders: The Document on Human Fraternity Has Sparked a Global Movement, Advancing Dialogue, Tolerance, and Peaceful Coexistence

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, emphasized that the International Day of Human Fraternity is a celebration of shared human values, reaffirming that all people belong to one global family united by common principles. The Council underscored the importance of strengthening collective efforts to promote dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, peace, and human fraternity among people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

In a statement marking the occasion, the Council noted that February 4 commemorates the sixth anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity—the most significant document in modern history. This historic document was signed in Abu Dhabi by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The document represents one of the most significant acts of human solidarity in contemporary times.

The statement further highlighted that, over the past years, the Document on Human Fraternity has sparked an unprecedented global movement aimed at spreading and reinforcing the values of love, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Recognizing the significance of this historic event, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted February 4—the anniversary of the document’s signing—as the International Day of Human Fraternity on December 22, 2020. The statement emphasized that this global recognition reflects the profound humanitarian principles outlined in the document. Many countries, universities, and academic institutions worldwide have incorporated its teachings into their educational programs, while some nations have even adopted it as a national charter.

Marking the International Day of Human Fraternity, the Muslim Council of Elders underscored the importance of upholding the values of human fraternity and peaceful coexistence. It emphasized that all people—regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion—are descendants of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) and share a common destiny. This shared fate calls for collective efforts to foster goodness, compassion, coexistence, and peace.

The Council continues to play a pivotal role in promoting and strengthening the noble humanitarian principles enshrined in the Document on Human Fraternity, striving to translate them into a tangible reality. Through innovative initiatives and programs, it aims to instill these values in younger generations, nurturing a conscientious and responsible youth equipped to champion the message of peace, coexistence, and human fraternity.

The Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF), one of the leading initiatives of the Muslim Council of Elders, organized a training workshop titled “Use Your Voice for Effective Communication”. The workshop was presented by Yasmin Obaid, a participant in the EPF, and took place at the Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair.

The workshop focused on introducing the skills of effective communication, highlighting its importance in engaging and influencing others, and successfully delivering content. It also shed light on the stages of communication: the source, the message, the channel, the receiver, and the feedback.

The workshop also delved into different communication styles, including formal and informal, verbal and non-verbal, as well as direct and indirect methods, emphasizing the influence of indirect communication on impacting others. The session covered effective speaking techniques, such as varying speech speed, adjusting volume and tone, emphasizing key words, and adding emotion to animate the text.

Yasmin Obaid, the trainer, conducted practical exercises with attendees, demonstrating how varying the delivery of a single sentence can alter its impact and objective. This part of the session witnessed significant engagement from a diverse audience at the Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the fair.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating in the 56th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, held from January 23 to February 5, 2025, with a dedicated stand showcasing a wide range of the Council’s featured publications. Additionally, the stand is hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events aimed at promoting the values of goodness, love, peace, and mutual coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located next to Al-Azhar’s stand, in Heritage Hall No. (4) at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo’s Fifth Settlement.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair showcases several of its latest 2025 publications. Among these is “Naseeb al-Mu’tazilah fi Tatwir ‘Ilm al-Kalam” (“The Contribution of the Mu’tazilites to the Development of Islamic Theology”), authored by Mohammed al-Sayed Naeem, a scholar from Al-Azhar.

The publication delves into the role of the Mu’tazilites in advancing Islamic theology, particularly focusing on their intellectual contributions. Dr. Mohammed Naeem elucidates their varied contributions to the discourse of Islamic theology, their interactions with philosophical thought, and how they utilized debates with various Islamic sects to enrich their theological positions.

The book is organized into an introduction, two main parts, and a conclusion. The introduction provides a summary and references the sources consulted during the research. It also presents a prelude on the Islamic creed prior to its engagement with other cultures, exploring the differences in opinion among the esteemed companions of the Prophet, may God be pleased with them, the causes of these divisions, and debates over specific doctrinal matters, such as the implications of committing major sins.

The first part, titled “The Interaction of Muslims with Other Nations and Its Effects,” examines how non-Islamic beliefs seeped into Muslim doctrine due to their interactions with other cultures. It details how the Islamic creed became encircled by threats, necessitating staunch defenders to protect it and counter the arguments of adversaries who were armed with logic and philosophy and engaged in intense debate and discourse. The Mu’tazilites emerged as these defenders, adeptly engaging their doctrinal opponents using comparable intellectual arms. This analysis is expanded over four chapters.

The second part, titled “The Principles and Approach of the Mu’tazilites,” delves into the contributions of the Mu’tazilites to theological research and their methodological approach. It discusses their examinations of God’s essence, attributes, relationship with creation, and the moral actions of His subjects, including the predetermined rewards or punishments. This part highlights the five core principles that were central to the Mu’tazilite school, which shaped their discourse and formed the basis of both agreement and debate with other scholars.

The conclusion, as drawn by the author, emphasizes that Islamic theology underwent significant development through the Mu’tazilites in two main aspects. From an objective standpoint, the Mu’tazilites addressed numerous theological issues arising from their core and derived theological principles about God’s nature, His attributes, His interactions with creation, and human actions, along with their divine repercussions. From a methodological perspective, they prioritized rational thinking, constructed arguments based on logic, incorporated philosophical insights, and supported their views with scriptural evidence, sometimes interpreting these texts in ways that aligned with rational conclusions even when they diverged from traditional interpretations.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a special stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, running from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand hosts a large number of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to organizing a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting values of kindness, love, peace, and coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located at the Cairo International Book Fair next to the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s stand , in Heritage Hall (Hall No. 4), at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.

For the third consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders will participate in the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF 2025), held from February 1 to 9, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center in the Indian capital, New Delhi. The Council’s participation stems from its mission to promote peace, foster values of dialogue and tolerance, and build bridges for human cooperation and coexistence.

Throughout the fair, the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion will showcase over 250 diverse intellectual and cultural publications, including several of the latest releases from Al-Hokama Publishing for 2025. Notable among these are the books “Religion and the Nations of Greater Asia: Managing Religious and Ethnic Pluralism in China and India,” “Peace in Africa: Studies and Visions for Enhancing Stability and Development,” “The Making of International Peace: Drawing from Shared Contexts,” and “International Peacebuilding: Shared Values and Foundational Concepts,” authored by a group of researchers from Al Hokama Center for Peace Research. Additionally, the book “Islam and the West: An Approach to Causes of Conflict and Monitoring the Conditions of Cultural Exchange” by Mohamed Al-Benyaydi will also be featured.

Additionally, the pavilion of the Muslim Council of Elders at the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF 2025) will feature several new releases, including “The Quran’s Discourse on Humanity” by Ali Mohamed Hassan Al-Amari, “Imam al-Haramayn and His Influence on the Development of the Ash’ari School” by Ali Mohamed Jaber, a prominent scholar at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, “Islamic Principles on Family Organization” by Abu Al-Wafa Al-Maraghi, a senior scholar at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, “Conflict Management in the Muslim World” by Dr. Idris Qasim, a researcher in foreign policy issues and a Doctor of Public Law, and the book “Problems of the Ummah’s Division into Sunnis and Shiites” by the Islamic thinker Dr. Elias Belka.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion will also showcase over 20 works by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, aimed at introducing the benevolence of Islam and the richness of its intellectual and philosophical heritage. Among these are “Al-Qawl Al-Tayyib,” “From My Old Notebooks,” “A View on East-West Dialogue,” “An Introduction to the Study of Traditional Logic,” “Discussions on Causes and Objectives,” “On the Sufi Theological Terminology,” “Heritage and Renewal,” “For the Sake of Peace,” “Insights into the Thought of Imam Al-Ash’ari,” “Ethics and Values,” “Towards Contemporary Juridical Ijtihad,” “Aisha, the Mother of the Believers,” and others.

In the same context, the Council’s pavilion will offer several important publications, including “Love in the Holy Quran” by HRH Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the book “The Grand Imam and the Pope: A Thorny Path – A Testimony to the Birth of the Document on Human Fraternity” by Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the book “Rules of Understanding and Mutual Understanding in Thought and Language,” by Dr. Mustafa Benhamza, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the book “Muslims at a Crossroads” by the late Dr. Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq, and “Interfaith Encounters in Al-Andalus and Morocco” by Dr. Jaafar ben El Haj Soulami. 

Recognizing the importance of translation as a bridge between civilizations, the Muslim Council of Elders will also showcase 21 books in Hindi, Urdu, and Malay at the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF 2025). This selection includes six new releases for 2025, among which is “Al Iktirath Fi Hoqouq Al Inath (“Concern for Female Rights”), “Freedom and Citizenship: Diversity and Integration,” and “Al Qawl Al Tayeb” which have been published in Hindi and Urdu for the 2025 edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair. This year, the Council will present several notable translated publications, including “The Voice of Change” and “Shared Global Values and Making International Peace” by a group of researchers. Additionally, there are other translated works such as “Confronting Islamophobia in Europe” by various researchers, “Islam and Good Governance” by Prof. Dr. Muqtedar Khan, and “Islam, the West, and Tolerance: Conceiving Coexistence” by Aaron Tyler, among others.

As part of its participation in this cultural event, the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion is organizing a series of seminars aimed at fostering meaningful discussions that promote social cohesion, environmental responsibility, and highlight the role of religions in addressing contemporary challenges. On February 2nd, there will be a seminar titled “Utilizing Social Media to Promote Peace and Combat Extremism among Youth.” Coinciding with the International Day of Human Fraternity on February 4th, another seminar titled “The Document on Human Fraternity: A Foundation for Tolerance and Coexistence” will take place. The third seminar, “Faith and the Environment: Shared Responsibilities for a Sustainable Future,” is scheduled for February 7th, 2025.

The participation of the Muslim Council of Elders in the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF 2025) underscores its commitment to intellectual and cultural exchange, enhancing dialogue, and promoting values of tolerance, peace, and coexistence. Through its diverse publications, translated works, and enriching discussions, the Council continues to build bridges between cultures and affirm the importance of shared human values on the global stage. The Council’s pavilion (I-04) is located in Hall 4 at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair hosted its twelfth cultural seminar, titled “Islamic Philosophy and Contemporary Challenges: Can Islamic Philosophy Offer Viable Solutions to Today’s Problems?” The seminar featured Prof. Mustafa El-Nashar, President of the Egyptian Philosophical Society, and was moderated by Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, Lecturer in Theology and Philosophy at Al-Azhar University.

At the beginning of the seminar, Dr. Mustafa El-Nashar highlighted the significant contributions of Islamic philosophy, particularly in its efforts to harmonize religion and philosophy, affirming that there is no inherent contradiction between the two. He emphasized that Muslim scholars and philosophers actively translated and engaged with the intellectual heritage of other civilizations without hesitation or fear of openness to the “other.” They also addressed the pressing societal issues of their time.

The President of the Egyptian Philosophical Society praised the evolving approach within philosophical disciplines, particularly the shift towards applied or practical philosophy, which moves beyond theoretical abstractions to address real-world concerns. He noted that this approach explores pressing human issues and contemporary challenges through fields such as environmental philosophy, aesthetics and philosophy of art, political philosophy, philosophy of social sciences, and philosophy of coexistence, among others—fields that remain deeply intertwined with human life and reality.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating in the 56th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, held from January 23 to February 5, 2025, with a dedicated stand showcasing a wide range of the Council’s featured publications. Additionally, the stand is hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events aimed at promoting the values of goodness, love, peace, and mutual coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located next to Al-Azhar’s stand, in Heritage Hall No. (4) at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo’s Fifth Settlement.