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The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: “The UN resolution represents an important step in encouraging international efforts to eliminate the phenomenon of Islamophobia.”

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, has welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution on combating Islamophobia and the appointment of a special envoy to the United Nations tasked with combating Islamophobia. This coincides with the world’s celebration of the International Day for Combating Islamophobia, which is annually observed on March 15th.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, affirmed that the UN resolution is a significant step in the right direction to encourage the efforts of the international community towards eliminating the phenomenon of Islamophobia and building a world that is more just and peaceful. He emphasized the importance of all members of society being respected and dignified, regardless of their religion or beliefs. He pointed out that Islam is a religion of mercy and peace, based on values of tolerance, justice, and benevolence, promoting peaceful coexistence among people of different religions and cultures.

His Excellency Judge Abdelsalam explained that combating this dangerous phenomenon is a responsibility that falls on everyone and requires concrete and effective measures, including the enactment of binding legislation, to eliminate all forms of hatred, bigotry, and Islamophobia. This would contribute to achieving international peace and security. He further affirmed that freedom of belief is one of the fundamental principles underlying human rights.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders praised the statement of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, in which he affirmed that Muslims represent the wonderful diversity of the human family. Mr. Guterres highlighted the significant contributions made by Muslim scholars in culture, philosophy, and science. He emphasized that Islam, embraced by nearly two billion people, represents a pillar of common human history. Mr. Guterres called for an end to the shameful exploitation of hatred against Muslims and exclusionary policies aimed at political gain. He described Islamophobia as a “plague” and a malignant epidemic.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Friday condemning any call for religious hatred and incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence against Muslims. The resolution urges member states to take necessary measures to combat religious bigotry, negative stereotypes, hatred, and incitement to violence against Muslims, and to ban incitement to violence and its practice based on religion or belief.

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor in the South African city of Johannesburg. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of three monks from the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The Council firmly rejects such terrorist acts, which are contrary to the teachings of religions and divine laws that prohibit attacks on innocent lives in places of worship and advocate for respect and acceptance of others, discouraging any form of aggression or harm towards them. 

The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its heartfelt condolences to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and to the families of the victims. The Council demands that the perpetrators be pursued and brought to justice.

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, has welcomed the UN Security Council’s resolution calling for a ceasefire in Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement, the Council expressed hope that this resolution would help alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people and emphasized the importance of working towards a permanent ceasefire. The Council also called for immediate and effective measures to deliver humanitarian aid to the most affected areas, particularly focusing on the most vulnerable groups such as the sick, children, women, and the elderly.

The Council affirmed its unwavering support for all efforts aimed at initiating a meaningful and productive dialogue that could lead to a peaceful resolution of the Sudanese crisis. It stressed the importance of prioritizing the national interest and reaching a final agreement that ensures the unity of Sudanese territory and fulfills the aspirations of its people for safety and peace.

Additionally, the Muslim Council of Elders urged the UN Security Council to take swift action to halt the ongoing violence in Gaza and to end the humanitarian tragedy that has persisted for over five months. This appeal is especially urgent as the holy month of Ramadan approaches, intending to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians.

His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, will present his Ramadan program ‘Imam Al-Tayeb,’ produced by the Council of Muslim Elders, throughout the holy month of Ramadan. In this enlightening series, His Eminence the Grand Imam will explore Al-Asma’ al-Husna (the 99 Names of Allah) (Part Two), offering insights and interpretations, shedding light on the wisdom behind the pairing of certain names, and reflecting on the believer’s connection to these names and their impact on one’s behavior and interactions. The program aims to nurture a virtuous individual for both oneself and the community.

Furthermore, in his Ramadan program, His Eminence Sheikh Al-Tayeb will link the 99 Names of Allah with contemporary life events, extracting lessons and moral guidance, particularly in response to the crises, disasters, wars, and conflicts currently facing the world. He will also suggest approaches to address these challenges through contemplation of the Names and Attributes of Allah, the Most High.

The ‘Imam Al-Tayeb’ program is set to be broadcast on a variety of satellite channels in Egypt and across the Arab and Islamic world. Additionally, it will be streamed on the official page of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, as well as on the official pages of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Council on social media platforms.

“Imam Al-Tayeb,” “Human Values with the Elders,” “Month of Coexistence,” “Reflect on Your Fasting,” and “Humanitarian Stories with Youth” are diverse Ramadan programs to be presented by the Muslim Council of Elders’ social media platforms during the blessed month of Ramadan 2024.

Building on the Muslim Council of Elders’ strategy to utilize all media platforms in promoting peace and spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence, the Council is presenting five diverse Ramadan programs broadcast daily through its social media pages: “Imam Al-Tayeb,” “Human Values with the Elders,” “Month of Harmonious Coexistence,” “Reflect on Fasting,” and “Humanitarian Stories with Youth.”

The “Imam Al-Tayeb” program features His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. In this program, His Eminence the Grand Imam continues his explanation of Al-Asma-ul-Husna (the 99 Names of Allah), interpreting and explaining the meaning of each name, its pairing with other names, and the servant’s share of these names. He also links the interpretations of the meanings of the 99 Names of Allah with contemporary events, crises, disasters, wars, and conflicts in the world today, and how to derive wisdom from these events and develop a perspective on dealing with them through contemplating the 99 Names and Attributes of Allah.

The “Human Values with the Elders” program continues in its second part, where members of the Muslim Council of Elders discuss the most prominent noble human values stipulated by the Document on Human Fraternity. These include equality, patience, identity, citizenship, mutual respect, and cooperation, among other values, focusing on their importance in human life and their role in promoting peace and harmony, and building cohesive and interconnected societies.

During Ramadan 2024, the Muslim Council of Elders is airing a new program directed at youth titled “Humanitarian Stories with Youth.” This program features some stories and situations about humanitarian values that have inspired these youth to bring about positive and real change among their peers and in their communities.

The “Reflect on Fasting” program discusses the most important secrets of fasting and the psychological and physical effects it has on humans, contributing to the building of their souls and training them in several good values and morals. The “Month of Harmonious Coexistence” program addresses several humanitarian values that can be revived during the blessed month of Ramadan, which heralds goodness and blessings to the Arab and Islamic nations, opening the doors of mercy, forgiveness, and enlightenment of hearts. The program includes a series of episodes such as ” Ramadan Brings Us Together,” ” Ihsan (Kindness),” ” Takaful (Solidarity),” and “Al-Ber (Righteousness).”

You can follow the Muslim Council of Elders’ pages on social media through the following links:

https://www.muslim-elders.com

https://www.facebook.com/MuslimCouncilofElders

https://www.youtube.com/@muslimelders9203

https://www.instagram.com/muslimelders

https://www.linkedin.com/company/muslimelders/

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, has affirmed that women are fundamental partners in the nation and community-building journey. It emphasized that empowering and supporting women and girls, developing their capacities, and ensuring their full rights across all aspects of life are religious and ethical obligations as well as shared societal responsibilities.

In a statement issued on the occasion of International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8th, the Muslim Council of Elders stated that this day offers an opportunity to honor and celebrate women’s achievements. The Council affirmed that Islam honors women as mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives, elevates their status and importance in all aspects of life, and promotes kindness, care, and respect towards them. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, “Act kindly toward women” (Muslim). Islam also emphasizes that the best among people are the best in their treatment of their wives. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, also said, “The most perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behaviour is most excellent; and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives” (Ahmed). Another prophetic Hadith states: “The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family” (at-Tirmidhi).

The statement further emphasized that women are counterparts of men, and supporting and empowering them represents an investment in the future that benefits the entire world. It highlighted the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. This Document affirmed women’s rights to education and employment and called for their liberation from historical and social pressures that contradict the principles of their faith and their dignity.

The Muslim Council of Elders places significant emphasis on women, driven by its steadfast belief in the necessity of supporting them in securing all their rights across various domains, recognizing them as active contributors to society. The Council praises their crucial and significant role in the development of nations and communities and in shaping a more prosperous and peaceful future for humanity.

During his participation in the Future Summit on the Solidarity Economy for Integrated and Sustainable Development…

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: Discussion about the future will hinge on the restoration of hope and trust in the international community’s capacity to secure peace and human justice.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam: The Muslim Council of Elders has a successful track record of involving the voice of religions in addressing various global challenges.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: There should be a greater emphasis on the role of community leaders and religious figures in enhancing the prospects of resolving conflicts and disputes around the world.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, emphasized that the challenges facing the world are not confined to the economy, environment, and technology, but also extend to other aspects of human life, including wars and conflicts in many regions of the world. He highlighted the pressing need for community leaders and religious figures to play a more significant role in increasing the chances of ending these conflicts.

During his participation in the Future Summit on the Solidarity Economy for Integrated and Sustainable Development, held under the theme of “War and Peace” organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, highlighted that the world is caught in a dilemma between aspirations for a prosperous future and the painful reality that devastates the lives of thousands and the future of entire nations, especially the plight of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip who are suffering from dire humanitarian conditions amidst complete global inaction to save them.

His Excellency Judge Abdelsalam highlighted that the Document on Human Fraternity, signed on February 4, 2019, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, gained its importance from being an initiative between two global religious leaders representing the two largest Abrahamic religions: His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church. He stated, “As we consider the future of peace in our world, we not only recognize the relevance of this Document but also explore ways to implement its principles. These principles acknowledge that severe political crises, injustice, and the lack of fair distribution of natural resources contribute to ongoing deadly conflicts in many countries. We are also challenged to sustain the hope for peace through dialogue, coexistence, and human fraternity, especially for the millions of war victims who have witnessed the failure of these values to protect them from war and aggression.”

The Secretary-General emphasized that the Muslim Council of Elders, an independent international institution that brings together a select group of the Islamic nation’s scholars and wise men from around the world, and works to build peace within Islamic societies and between them and other communities, recognizes that evolving relationships, including those involving violence and peace, or war and peace, require a multi-level understanding. This understanding must take into account the realities of wars, their challenges in the realms of consciousness, economic interests, and the relations between communities and nations, as well as the sources of violence that are perpetuated within public institutions through a continuous cycle of dangerous populist forms of media and populist violence against religions, cultures, races, or nationalities. He also noted that the invitation from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to hold the Future Summit in September is a sincere and serious call that was made before the escalation of wars and conflicts to the alarming level we see today. This makes the summit a new challenge, not only to create a roadmap for the future but also to restore hope in humanity’s ability to plan a better future that excludes no one and no place in the world.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam highlighted that discussions about the future will always hinge on the restoration of hope and trust in the international community’s capacity to secure peace and heal the deep wounds and human divides left by wars and strife. He emphasized that the international community’s failure to find a fair and collective mechanism to end bloody conflicts will never align with any sustainable plans for a better future for humanity, which is continuously caught between aspirations for a better future and a reality filled with conflict and destruction. He pointed out that this reality should not deter everyone from continuing their efforts to make peace, explore ways to end conflicts and create a serious and new international mechanism for this purpose while simultaneously continuing efforts to plan for the future and address the common challenges facing all of humanity.

The Secretary-General underscored the importance of enhancing interfaith and intercultural dialogue on issues of solidarity and sustainable development in the face of war and the pursuit of peace. He stated that the Council has a successful track record of involving the voice of religions in addressing various global challenges, particularly the issue of climate change, through organizing the Global Faith Leaders Summit on Climate Change, which resulted in the “Call of Conscience,” also known as Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement on Climate Change. This declaration, signed by thirty religious leaders and figures from around the world, outlines practical and effective steps to address climate change. This was followed by the first-ever Faith Pavilion at a Conference of the Parties (COP), organized by the Council in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, aimed at involving scholars and religious leaders in discussing innovative and effective solutions to address this critical crisis.

It is worth noting that the ‘Future Summit on the Solidarity Economy for Integrated and Sustainable Development: War and Peace,’ was organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences in collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network on March 4 and 5 in Rome, Italy. The summit discussed ethical principles and specific reforms for sustainable development issues, financing for development, international peace and security, science, technology, and innovation, as well as youth and future generations, and global governance.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Excellency Judge Mohammed Abdelsalam, extends heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Professor Dr. Qutb Sano, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders and Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy in Jeddah, for his triumph in the inaugural session of the 2024 Doha Arabic Book Award in the field of Humanities and Shari’a.

The Secretary-General expresses deep appreciation for Dr. Qutb Sano’s significant contributions to enriching the Arab library and Islamic thought with a multitude of important scientific works in areas such as comparative Fiqh (jurisprudence), Usul al-Fiqh (principles of jurisprudence), Islamic finance, education, and more. He also commends Dr. Sano’s efforts in promoting values of dialogue, tolerance, and shared coexistence, wishing him continued advancement, distinction, and prosperity.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, affirmed that the Document on Human Fraternity, presented to the world by His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, from Abu Dhabi in 2019, is a continuously evolving message that has catalyzed various global initiatives. It has sparked a variety of global initiatives and inspired further collaborative efforts to uphold the values it embodies and the inclusive human ideals it encompasses, in response to narratives of intolerance, hatred, discrimination, and Islamophobia. This ongoing endeavor will be pursued collectively, in partnership with global institutions.

The Secretary-General’s remarks were delivered on his behalf by Imam Yahya Pallavicini, President and Imam of the Islamic Religious Community of Italy, at a roundtable titled “Religious Fraternity and Social Cohesion for Peace.” The event also marked the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Religious Community of Italy and coincided with February, the month in which the world observes the International Day of Human Fraternity. The choice of Milan, a city renowned for its cultural, literary, and artistic heritage, as the venue for this discussion underscores the centrality of human fraternity and peaceful coexistence.

The Secretary-General further noted Italy’s role as a global spiritual hub and a model for interfaith coexistence among the three Abrahamic religions. He emphasized that this gathering addressed the challenges of fraternity and peaceful coexistence among people of diverse religions, cultures, and ethnicities, aiming to unite them against the global challenges facing our shared humanity.

In his concluding remarks, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam commended the positive contributions of Muslims in Italy, particularly in Milan, which he described as a unique city that embraces diversity and coexistence. He praised Milan as a beacon of religious openness, making it an ideal location for this roundtable dedicated to countering intolerance, xenophobia, and Islamophobia.

The roundtable, titled “Religious Fraternity and Social Cohesion for Peace,” was hosted by the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Milan and attended by a variety of religious leaders, thinkers, and politicians.

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, unequivocally condemns the massacre perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against unarmed Palestinian civilians awaiting aid trucks at Al-Nabulsi Roundabout near Al-Rasheed Street in northern Gaza Strip. This heinous act resulted in the martyrdom and injury of dozens of innocent civilians.

The Council urgently appeals to the global conscience to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting the defenceless Palestinian people and to take immediate action to halt the aggression on the Gaza Strip. It calls for the swift and safe delivery of humanitarian aid and an end to this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The Muslim Council of Elders renews its call to the international community to seek a just and comprehensive resolution to the prolonged Palestinian issue, which has persisted for over 70 years. The Council emphasizes the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.