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Abu Dhabi, September 6, 2023: A global summit for faith leaders from around the world will take place in Abu Dhabi from 6 to 7 November, to underscore the crucial role of faith communities in addressing climate change. The summit will take place ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28), which will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

Faith leaders representing the world’s major religions, academics, and environmental experts are expected to attend the two-day event with the aim of discussing the ethical responsibilities of faith leaders in addressing the climate crisis. The meeting will also address the collaboration between faith and science to bridge the gap between empirical evidence and spiritual teachings, discuss strategies for amplifying the voices of religious leaders to enhance climate justice, and highlight ways to engage grassroots communities in achieving sustainable development.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the event will be organised by the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) under Chairman, His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb. The summit will be hosted in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Catholic Church.

Muslim Council of Elders Secretary-General, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, said, “As our world inches closer to irreversible climate damage that can only be addressed through collective effort, the preliminary summit of religious leaders for COP28 comes at a critical moment where scaling up climate action in all sectors of society, eradicating climate change ignorance, and raising awareness of environmental issues have become imperative. The Muslim Council of Elders appreciates the patronage and support of His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, in this initiative as well as His Highness’ eagerness to support the role religions have in addressing global challenges.”

During COP28, the MCE and the UNEP, in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, will co-host the Faith Pavilion at COP28, the first pavilion of its kind at a COP event.

Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General and Special Representative of COP28, said, “Inclusion is the foundation of the COP28 Presidency – faith-based communities and organisations play a crucial role in helping the world address climate change. To highlight this, COP28 will be the first COP to host a pavilion dedicated to the engagement of faith communities.

Our goal is to provide a global stage for fostering religious engagement and interfaith dialogue with the aim of inspiring ambitious goals and concrete actions to address the climate crisis.”

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from 30 November to 12 December and is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first-ever Global Stocktake – a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a “leave no one behind” approach to inclusive climate action.

Under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders emphasizes that observing the International Day of Charity, which falls on the 5th of September each year, represents a great opportunity to elevate the values of solidarity, benevolence, and strengthen social bonds.

In an official statement, the Council underscores the urgent need to extend help and assistance to all people regardless of their religious, or ethnic backgrounds, with a particular focus on the impoverished, needy, marginalized, and displaced as well as all refugees, and those who have lost their homes.

The Muslim Council of Elders is also dedicated to promoting global solidarity, social responsibility, and volunteer work, to go with motivating people, civil society organizations, and charitable entities to jointly collaborate in aiding the poor and needy. This aligns with its ultimate aim of creating more inclusive and resilient societies that foster the values of tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has stressed that the Faith Pavilion at the COP28 conference, hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the end of the current year, represents a significant opportunity to enhance the role of religious figures and leaders, and to follow all religious teachings in addressing climate change while also serving as a platform to launch initiatives and ideas proposed by these leaders alongside the efforts of all nations and peoples in confronting climate change.

Following a comprehensive review of all the ideas, activities, and events proposed by the organizers of the Faith Pavilion, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan expressed the importance of making the pavilion an inclusive platform for prominent religious leaders from around the world to share their respective insights. He emphasized that climate change and its impact on the planet concern everyone and will undoubtedly affect us all. He also affirmed the UAE leadership’s commitment, represented by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to utilize all available resources to achieve COP28’s noble objectives in safeguarding planet Earth. This, he pointed, requires joint efforts from all countries in confronting climate change, as it profoundly impacts both the present and future of humanity. His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan also expressed his appreciation for the exceptional efforts of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE alongside the endeavors of various nations around the world.

The UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence also emphasized that the establishment of the inaugural Faith Pavilion at the COP28 conference reflects the United Arab Emirates’ and its wise leadership’s firm belief in involving all segments of society to reach practical solutions to climate change. This belief aligns with the recognition of the importance of the voices of religious leaders in confronting global challenges, especially the negative impacts of climate change.

His Excellency explained that the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, with its wealth of experience and capacity for engaging religious leaders, along with its comprehensive plans and programs, is pleased to support the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with the Muslim Council of Elders and the COP28 Presidency. He further pointed out that supporting interfaith dialogue is one of the Ministry of Tolerance’s major priorities, which includes promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence, peace, and human fraternity.

His Excellency Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General and Special Representative of the UAE Presidency for the COP28 conference, had signed a memorandum of understanding with Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, with the aim of establishing a strong and ongoing partnership focused on promoting interfaith dialogue and environmental sustainability.

The memorandum of understanding highlights the collaboration between both parties alongside the UAE’s Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, the United Nations Environment Programme, and other relevant international partners, to organize a series of events and activities aimed at enhancing the role of religious figures in addressing the negative impacts of climate change in the run up to the ‘Road to COP28’ event. It also recognizes the significant role that religious leaders and representatives can play in confronting various contemporary challenges.

The Muslim Council of Elders, represented by Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Council, and the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change of the United Arab Emirates, represented by His Excellency Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, the Director-General and Special Representative for the COP28 conference, have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strong and ongoing partnership focused on promoting interfaith dialogue and environmental sustainability.

The memorandum of understanding outlines that the Muslim Council of Elders will actively work towards inviting religious organizations and leaders along with spiritual figures to participate in the Faith Pavilion at the upcoming COP28 conference. The pavilion will be the first of its kind in the history of COP conferences, serving as a global platform for fostering religious engagement and interfaith dialogue with the goal of raising necessary ambitions and implementing effective measures to address the climate change crisis. The agreement also emphasizes the importance of involving religious figures and leaders in developing strategies to address global challenges, including pursuing environmental justice.

The initiative will also be jointly undertaken by the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, the United Nations Environment Programme, and relevant international partners. Efforts will focus on organizing events and activities that enhance the role of religious leaders in tackling the adverse impacts of climate change. The Muslim Council of Elders and the United Nations Environment Programme had previously extended an invitation to religious and civil society organizations, as well as religious and community leaders to participate in the Faith Pavilion at COP28.

The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international organization chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. It is dedicated to promoting peace in various societies and features a group of esteemed and moderate scholars from a number of Islamic countries who are known for promoting the values of understanding, peace, mutual respect, and interfaith dialogue. The Council strives to fulfil its mission through meaningful partnerships with international institutions and entities sharing common goals and aspirations.

The United Arab Emirates will host the COP28 conference at Expo City Dubai, from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The conference is expected to attract over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industrial leaders, representatives from the private sector, academics, youth, civil society, indigenous peoples as well as various non-governmental actors. COP28’s grand objective is to foster coordination with active partners, facilitating a collective response and progress towards achieving significant and transformative actions in climate change efforts.

With the utmost contentment in Allah’s decree and will, the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, mourns the passing of Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its sincere condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and to the government and people of the UAE, on the passing of the late Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Council prays that Almighty Allah bestows upon him abundant mercy and grants him a place in paradise. Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has taken part in an open dialogue session with youth participants in the ‘Tolerance Ambassadors’ camp organized by the Arab Youth Center in Abu Dhabi from July 26 to July 28.

During the dialogue session, which included 25 young men and women from 11 Arab countries, the Secretary-General emphasized that youth are the backbone of the nation and its bright future. He highlighted the importance of equipping a generation of Arab youth capable of carrying the message of tolerance and coexistence whilst also preparing them to build a better future for humanity. He stressed that achieving global peace and human fraternity is not an easy task since it requires continuous collective effort, perseverance, and patience and that every individual youth has a crucial role to play on this journey.

Judge Abdelsalam also noted that the Arab world has been blessed with a generation of young people filled with energy and vitality, capable of positively changing the world through their initiatives and efforts, which can be further optimally directed. He emphasized that the Arab world genuinely needs the contributions of these young men and women to overcome contemporary challenges.

The Secretary-General praised the United Arab Emirates, which serves as a model for empowering and providing opportunities to the youth whilst also hosting this important camp which reflects the significant attention given by the state and its wise leadership to the youth, and enhancing their societal role in spreading the values of peace, tolerance, dialogue, and coexistence.

He also explained that the Muslim Council of Elders, under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and President of the Muslim Council of Elders, had recently concluded the second edition of the Youth Peacebuilders Forum. This reflects the firm belief of the Muslim Elders in the vital role of youth in promoting religious and cultural dialogue to enhance peace and spread the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence.

Abdelsalam further highlighted the import role of the youth in successfully confronting the negative impacts of climate change, praising the decision to give the youth significant space to contribute their ideas, initiatives, and constructive efforts to the success of the upcoming COP28 conference, hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the end of the current year.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders concluded by encouraging the youth to make the most of their participation in the ‘Tolerance Ambassadors’ camp and to spread the humanitarian values they learn to become role models for their peers, families, and communities.

Prominent Figures from Al-Azhar Visit the Muslim Council of Elders’ Pavilion at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Book Fair and Praise Publications by Dar Al-Hokama Publishing Several prominent figures from Al-Azhar have visited the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the 2023 Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Book Fair where they expressed their admiration for the Council’s participation and its wide array of publications that are dedicated to promoting peace and disseminating values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. Among the visiting delegation were His Eminence Dr. Nazir Ayad, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar; His Eminence Dr. Mohamed Al-Mahrasawi, former President of Al-Azhar University; Dr. Ilham Shahin, Assistant Secretary-General for Preachers’ Affairs at the Islamic Research Academy, and Saad Al-Mat’ani, a renowned media personality and chief presenter of the Holy Quran Radio. The delegation thoroughly explored the Council’s pavilion, taking a keen interest in its publications, which they praised for providing a vital source of moderate knowledge for researchers in the fields of Islamic studies and heritage. The Muslim Council of Elders has is participating in the 2023 Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Book Fair in line with the vision of the Council’s Chairman His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. The Council’s mission is to foster peace within Muslim and non-Muslim societies while promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence among all individuals, irrespective of their backgrounds.

Muslim Council of Elders strongly condemns the burning of Holy Quran by extremists in Denmark

Under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Muslim Council of Elders expresses its utmost condemnation of the heinous and despicable burning of the Holy Quran by an extremist group in Denmark.

The Council reiterates unequivocally rejects such heinous acts that aim to provoke Muslims around the world while also emphasizing that the recurrence of such racist actions reflects a vile extremism, blind fanaticism, and abhorrent hatred, that contradict basic human principles, and norms. Furthermore, these abhorrent acts only serve to undermine global efforts to promote peace and coexistence.

The Council calls for the implementation of definitive measures and legislations to stop such vile practices to criminalize attacks against religions and religious sanctities. These repeated despicable actions, the Council stresses, cannot be justified under the guise of freedom of speech or expression.

In an open dialogue with participants of the second edition of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: Our goal is to empower youth to contribute to building a better future for themselves and humanity

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has affirmed that the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, one of the initiatives of the Muslim Council of Elders, aims to empower youth for a better future for themselves, their communities, and humanity. He urged them to have confidence in themselves and their ability to shape the future.

During a dialogue session with participants of the forum, the Secretary-General stated that the Muslim Council of Elders has a great interest in youth through a range of initiatives and efforts aimed at harnessing their potential to become positive influencers in their communities. He called upon youth to build upon what they have learned in this edition of the forum and to be a source of inspiration for others, following the example of graduates from the first edition who have become leading and influential role models among their peers and in their communities.

Judge Abdelsalam also emphasized the importance of education in building generations capable of promoting peace and adhering to values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and confronting the rhetoric of hate, bigotry, and discrimination. He highlighted that the Muslim Council of Elders seeks, in collaboration with global academic institutions, to incorporate values of dialogue, respect, acceptance, and human fraternity into educational programs. He also reiterated the Council’s relentless efforts to highlight the importance of educating girls and empowering women.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders expressed his gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their support of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, reflecting the nation’s wise leadership’s belief in the significance of the youth’s role in peacebuilding, stability, and the promotion and enhancement of values of tolerance.

For their part, participants expressed their appreciation for the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, for their focus on youth issues and for trusting them, providing opportunities, believing in their capabilities, and supporting their purposeful ideas and initiatives.

His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa praises the second edition of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum and affirms: The Muslim Council of Elders leads constructive efforts to enhance the role of youth in shaping a better future for humanity

His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, member of the Muslim Council of Elders and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain has praised the second edition of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, which is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 6 to 14 July.

In a statement, His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa highlighted the global participation of 50 young men and women from 24 countries, emphasizing the significance of the forum’s mission to equip a generation of youth capable of actively contributing to peacebuilding and promoting values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence.

The Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain expressed his gratitude to the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirming that the council’s focus on youth stems from a strong conviction in the crucial role that young people can play in advancing nations and societies.

His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in harnessing the potential of youth to shape a global movement capable of confronting contemporary challenges and building a better future for humanity.