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The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, welcomed H.E. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, to the Faith Pavilion at COP28. During the visit, the pair toured the pavilion, gaining insights into its significant activities and events.

The Director General praised the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in enhancing the role of religious leaders in addressing global challenges, particularly the climate crisis. He commended the launch of the ‘Abu Dhabi Statement on Climate Action for COP28’ and the organization of the Faith Pavilion at COP28, marking a historic milestone in COP conferences.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders expressed appreciation for the visit by the Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, emphasizing the vital role that religious institutions can play in confronting climate challenges. He also commended the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai for its efforts in raising awareness about climate issues and launching initiatives contributing to climate awareness and effective measures.

The Director General actively participated in an interactive seminar alongside Professor Dr. Salama Dawood, President of Al-Azhar University. During the seminar, he highlighted the UAE’s commitment to implementing Islamic principles for environmental conservation since its founding. Al Muhairi also explained that the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department joined the UAE’s efforts to support climate action by reducing carbon footprint, preventing water wastage in mosque facilities, planting greenery, reducing electricity consumption, and applying international standards for sustainable and green construction in various mosques in Dubai. He affirmed that the department also focuses on educating the community on Islamic teachings related to climate conservation through lessons, Friday sermons, seminars, and lectures, aiming to engage all segments of society in fulfilling their responsibilities towards nature and the Earth.

Professor Dr. Salama Dawood, President of Al-Azhar University, stated that climate change affects all communities, making environmental preservation and protecting the Earth a shared responsibility for everyone. He also emphasized that the Faith Pavilion at COP28, the first of its kind in the history of COP conferences, is a commendable initiative, and it is hoped that its outcomes and results contribute to changing climate-related procedures.

The Muslim Council of Elders is organizing the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme. Held from December 1 to 12 at Expo City Dubai, the pavilion will feature representatives of nine religions participating in around 70 dialogue sessions with over 300 speakers from around the world to formulate a common vision and take a unified stance among religious leaders, scholars, environmental experts, youth, women, and representatives of indigenous peoples in addressing the adverse effects of climate change.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, announced that four international youth projects in the realm of climate change have won awards during the Faith Pavilion at COP28. These projects emerged as winners in a competition initiated by the Council, designed for graduates of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum.

Drawing around 50 youth projects from 11 countries, the competition’s objective was to bolster and motivate the youth to craft innovative and sustainable solutions to combat the climate crisis. It also aimed to empower young minds, enabling their active involvement in public discussions and decision-making processes concerning environmental policies and strategies for mitigating climate change.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, highlighted the Council’s profound interest in the youth as the torchbearers of hope and peace in the world. He further underscored the Council’s ongoing initiatives, actively working towards empowering youth, channeling their potential, and fostering their positive contributions to address global challenges, with a particular emphasis on climate change.

The Secretary-General elaborated on the support extended by the Muslim Council of Elders to the winning projects which aligns with the coordination of the Faith Pavilion at COP28, the first of its kind in the history of COP conferences, which is organized in collaboration with the COP28 presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme. The Pavilion serves as a global platform for interfaith dialogue, aiming to formulate effective solutions to the climate crisis.

The competition encompassed various domains, including climate change and climate justice. ‘EmpoweHer,’ the winning project from Gambia, seeks to train approximately 5,000 women by 2030 in the Konta Niang region. It focuses on the adoption and implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, targeting a 90% reduction in emissions associated with traditional agricultural systems.

In the second category, emphasizing social inclusion and empowering youth from diverse religious backgrounds to assume leadership roles in climate action, the ‘Climatic Peace Initiative’ emerged triumphant. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive training and guidance to youth, coupled with the necessary funding to establish climate initiatives fostering cross-cultural dialogue and addressing climate challenges.

In the capacity-building category related to education and training in climate change, promoting an entrepreneurial culture as a pathway to address climate change, an initiative from Cameroon secured the prize. The initiative seeks to fortify youth resilience in combating violent extremism by building capacities and facilitating climate actions to preserve wildlife, specifically snails, whose economic, health, and nutritional value are significant. The project focuses on identifying easy and affordable methods for cultivating them within the Cameroonian environment while empowering youth to manage this project.

Also among the winners, a project from Albania clinched an award in the category of the role of religions in addressing climate change. The project aims to raise awareness among youth of different religions regarding the environmental challenges posed by climate change and their potential role in addressing these challenges locally. It also involves engaging religious communities to collaborate on environmental protection initiatives.

The Muslim Council of Elders is organizing the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme. Held from December 1 to 12 at Expo City Dubai, the pavilion will feature representatives of nine religions participating in around 70 dialogue sessions with over 300 speakers from around the world to formulate a common vision and take a unified stance among religious leaders, scholars, environmental experts, youth, women, and representatives of indigenous peoples in addressing the adverse effects of climate change.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, received His Excellency Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, at the Faith Pavilion in COP28. During the visit, Moratinos toured the pavilion, learning about the key initiatives and activities organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme.

During the meeting, the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations emphasized the importance of the role of religious leaders and symbols in addressing global challenges, with climate change at the forefront. He commended the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in mobilizing numerous religious institutions worldwide for dialogue, taking effective actions on climate issues, raising awareness about its risks, and amplifying the voice of religions to find decisive solutions at COP28 to save the world from the climate crisis.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders welcomed the visit, affirming that the Faith Pavilion serves as a significant platform to enhance dialogue among religions in addressing the climate issue. He emphasized that it is intricately connected to the challenges faced by the world throughout the ages, consistently leading in guiding peoples and societies, promoting ethical values and social responsibility, inspiring diverse cultures, and highlighting the importance of the voice and message of religions in confronting contemporary challenges.

The Muslim Council of Elders is organizing the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme. Held from December 1 to 12 at Expo City Dubai, the pavilion will feature representatives of nine religions participating in around 70 dialogue sessions with over 300 speakers from around the world to formulate a common vision and take a unified stance among religious leaders, scholars, environmental experts, youth, women, and representatives of indigenous peoples in addressing the adverse effects of climate change.

The fifth day of the Faith Pavilion at COP28 witnessed five dialogue sessions, with 17 speakers participating. The discussions focused on drawing inspiration and learning from indigenous communities regarding the climate crisis. They also addressed ways to overcome barriers to a just transition in the energy sector, investment in climate change mitigation, and supporting children displaced due to the climate crisis through community-based faith-sensitive responses.

The first session, “Inspiration and Learning from Indigenous Communities,” explored the perspectives of indigenous populations on climate change and the challenges faced by those living on the coasts of Panama due to rising sea levels and various climate-related disasters. Participants emphasized the role of religious communities in uniting efforts to address the challenges of climate change affecting indigenous lands and lifestyles.

The second session, titled “Overcoming Barriers to a Just Transition,” highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration and constructive dialogue between religious entities, financial institutions, business leaders, and governments to make a just energy transition a reality. The discussion delved into overcoming obstacles to investing in climate change mitigation and adaptation in emerging markets, as well as the potential leadership role of companies in driving a fair transition.

The third session, “Supporting Children Displaced Due to the Climate Crisis,” underscored the significance of supporting climate-displaced children through religious community responses. It explored integrating religious concepts and values into providing psychological, mental, and social support for displaced children in various regions affected by the climate crisis. Participants noted the severe consequences of weather-related incidents and climate change globally, particularly on displaced children, highlighting the urgent need for collective insights and partnerships to safeguard these children from the threats posed by climate change.

The fourth session, “A Just Transition for Africa: Mining, Technology Minerals, and Climate Change Mitigation,” focused on balancing the extraction of technological minerals, vital for modern climate solutions, with religious and ethical considerations. It emphasized the pivotal role of religions in shaping environmentally and ethically responsible mining practices. The session integrated religious perspectives with practical challenges, aiming to forge new paths for a just technological future that preserves the environment.

In the fifth Fireside Chat session, “A Case Study in Faith-Based Advocacy and Witness: The Episcopal Church, The Gwich’in People and ‘The Place Where Life Begins,” speakers discussed efforts to prevent drilling in a fragile part of the National Wildlife Refuge in the Arctic and the significant impacts of climate change. They also highlighted the crucial role of faith-based advocacy in addressing global challenges, including wars, conflicts, and the climate change crisis.

The Faith Pavilion at COP28 hosts a diverse array of religious leaders, scholars, environmental experts, youth, and representatives of indigenous peoples to explore and raise awareness about climate change challenges. The Pavilion will feature a total of 70 dialogue sessions with over 300 speakers from around the world.

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: The Abu Dhabi Joint Statement for the Climate Change reaffirms the determination of religious leaders to support global climate action

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: Religious leaders are the voice of humanity, supporting the efforts of world leaders and decision-makers in facing climate change

President of the Congress of Christian Leaders: The Faith Pavilion at COP28 is a historic initiative that must be integrated into the framework of future COP conferences

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, underscored that the Faith Pavilion at COP28 functions as an inspirational platform and a bridge for communication between science and religion. It conveys a universal message that underscores the collective responsibility of everyone in preserving the environment and constructing a better, sustainable future for both current and forthcoming generations.

During a discussion session titled “Advancing Understanding for Our Common World,” held on the fifth day of the Faith Pavilion at COP28, the Secretary-General asserted that there is no inherent conflict between science and religion. He noted the continuous benefits derived globally from the legacy of Muslim scholars across diverse fields. Abdelsalam also emphasized the significant role religion plays in addressing the climate crisis, highlighting that, as stewards of the Earth entrusted with knowledge and research, humans bear the responsibility of preserving the environment as an inherent duty in their lives and behaviors.

Abdelsalam clarified that the ‘Call of Conscience: Abu Dhabi Joint Statement for Climate Change’ co=signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, along with His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, and 28 other leaders and symbols of international religions, reaffirms the commitment of religious leaders to supporting global climate action. He also emphasized that the essence of the call is for religious leaders to be the collective voice of humanity, backing the efforts of world leaders and decision-makers in addressing the impacts of climate change.

For his part, Rev. Johnnie Moore, President of the Congress of Christian Leaders said, “The faith pavilion at COP28 is historic and has to be maintained because it brings together people of different faiths to talk about ways of mitigating climate change, which is very significant and will yield great results. As people of faith, we should educate ourselves on issues concerning climate change and environmental protection in order to disseminate the right information to our communities to save the planet.

The Muslim Council of Elders is organizing the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme. Held from December 1 to 12 at Expo City Dubai, the pavilion will feature representatives of nine religions participating in around 70 dialogue sessions with over 300 speakers from around the world to formulate a common vision and take a unified stance among religious leaders, scholars, environmental experts, youth, women, and representatives of indigenous peoples in addressing the adverse effects of climate change.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, welcomed Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, and a delegation from the Catholic Church to the Faith Pavilion at COP28. The delegation explored the activities presented by the pavilion, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme, serving as a global platform for interfaith dialogue on climate issues.

Cardinal Parolin and the visiting delegation praised the Faith Pavilion at COP28, the first of its kind in the history of COP conferences, for its religious and cultural diversity and acknowledged its potential to enhance the role of religious leaders and symbols in addressing the negative impacts of climate change. They expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in unifying the voices of religions to confront global challenges.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders welcomed Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the accompanying delegation, affirming that the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb and His Holiness Pope Francis have jointly provided an inspiring model for promoting peace, coexistence, and human fraternity.

The Vatican delegation included Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Monsignor George Koovakkad, Coordinator of External Trips for His Holiness Pope Francis, and Bishop Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis, Apostolic Nuncio to the United Arab Emirates.

The Faith Pavilion at COP28 hosts numerous religious leaders, scholars, environmental experts, youth, and representatives of indigenous peoples to discuss and explore solutions addressing the challenges of climate change. Through 70 dialogue sessions, over 300 speakers from around the world participate in raising awareness about the dangers of this global threat.

The fourth day of the Faith Pavilion at COP28 garnered substantial interest and engagement from visitors in the Blue Zone, particularly in the dialogue sessions taking place. Visitors commended the presented topics, insights, and innovative ideas for enhancing their awareness of climate issues and understanding the intricate connection of climate change to various aspects of life, including health, employment, and education.

Sessions centered around the intricate relationship between financing, human rights, and climate justice from a religious perspective. They underscored the crucial role of faith-based actors in mobilizing communities and advocating for climate justice as well as the issues of climate-forced migration and displacement, emphasizing the impact of religious communities on environmental discourse by adding an ethical and moral dimension to enhance awareness and knowledge among individuals and societies.

In the session discussing Islamic social finance for climate action, participants emphasized that the presence of the Faith Pavilion at COP28 is a significant step towards mitigating the impacts of climate change but they also called for practical and tangible solutions to activate the ethical responsibility of companies, ensuring that their projects preserve the environment and natural resources.

Participants in the dialogue session on faith-consistent investing underscored the importance of investments aligning with religious traditions to address climate-induced poverty. They also discussed ways to respond to community displacement crises and support global climate efforts by investing in companies that actively contribute to eliminating poverty resulting from climate change.

The fifth dialogue session focused on harnessing diversity, particularly gender, faith, and climate change, emphasizing the need for collaboration to achieve a sustainable future. Participants also acknowledged the crucial role of indigenous women in environmental preservation and recognized their knowledge and experience in building resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The final dialogue session of the day underscored the urgent need to respect religious values related to environmental protection and sustainability and disseminate them across societies.

The Faith Pavilion at COP28 continues its activities on the fifth day with a dialogue session titled “Advancing Understanding for Our Common World’. The session will feature the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, and will discuss the role of religious organizations and leaders in promoting understanding at local, regional, and global levels. Additionally, other sessions will focus on drawing inspiration and learning from indigenous communities, addressing challenges hindering the desired and equitable transition in the energy sector, and supporting climate-displaced children through community responses.

Sheikh Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Ali bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, the Environmental Advisor to the government of Ajman government, popularly known as the ‘Green Sheikh’ participated in a seminar during the fourth day of the Faith Pavilion at COP28. The pavilion is organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations Environment Programme and takes place at Expo City Dubai from December 1 to 12.

During the seminar, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi emphasized the importance of awareness, education, and nurturing future leaders to shed light on the climate crisis as decisive factors in shaping perspectives and understanding the urgent need for collective action to protect the planet Earth. He highlighted the UAE’s commitment, under its wise leadership, to support climate and environmental work at local, regional, and global levels. The UAE has achieved unprecedented milestones by hosting COP28, including the early adoption of the negotiation agenda and pledging to activate the Green Climate Fund addressing losses and damages.

The Green Sheikh also commended the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in raising awareness about climate issues and enhancing the role of religions in addressing them through the Faith Pavilion at COP28. He alsl noted that Islamic teachings have a profound impact on tackling climate change.

Sheikh Al Nuaimi presented the Green Sheikh initiative and all the environmental awareness activities carried out in collaboration with various organizations. He noted that hundreds of individuals have been trained on preserving nature, protecting the environment, and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. He stated, “We are the most intelligent creatures on earth and its caretakers. We are all together on this planet irrespective of our beliefs and this world is our home, and we need to protect it.”

The Faith Pavilion at COP28, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders, hosts a variety of events and activities attracting a large audience from the Blue Zone in COP28, with 70 dialogue sessions featuring over 300 speakers from around the world.

His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities has visited the Faith Pavilion at COP28 where he met the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam. The pavilion is co-organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, and the United Nations Environment Programme and will run from December 1 to 12 at Expo City Dubai.

H.E. Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in promoting the role of religious leaders in addressing global challenges, notably climate change. He also emphasized that the Faith Pavilion at COP28 reflects the values of tolerance and coexistence upheld by the United Arab Emirates and its wise leadership.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders welcomed Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri’s visit to the Faith Pavilion at COP28, highlighting the importance of integrating science and religion in spreading noble values and confronting global challenges.

The Faith Pavilion at COP28 is the first of its kind in the history of COP conferences, and is co-organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, and the United Nations Environment Programme. It also serves as a global platform for interfaith dialogue on climate-related issues.

On the third consecutive day, the activities of the Faith Pavilion at COP28 continued with a total of six sessions that attracted a large number of visitors to the blue zone. The sessions focused on climate justice, gender equality in the face of climate challenges, the role of religions in addressing climate change, and adapting to the climate crisis, especially in dealing with crises such as food and water security.

In the first session titled “Interfaith Feminist Climate Justice for the Human Right to a Healthy Society and Environment,” participants emphasized the significant connection between climate change, human health, and the planet. They also highlighted challenges, such as inadequate access to balanced diets and hunger, especially among girls and women, stressing the importance of involving women in climate decision-making.

The second session, “Practical Faith Leadership in Addressing Climate Change,” affirmed the great importance Islam places on climate protection. Participants emphasized that the religion’s teachings always call for environmental preservation and the responsible use of natural resources as an integral part of human responsibility towards creation.

The third session, “Localizing Faith Action for Human Security in the Face of Climate Change: An African Perspective,” called for increased climate financing, enhanced climate justice, justice for indigenous peoples, and support for faith-based climate action. Participants urged religious entities to apply accountability, oversight, and monitoring principles to avoid misusing funds allocated for climate change mitigation.

The fourth session focused on ways to enhance adaptation and address water scarcity and also pointed out that conflicts in many parts of the world are linked to water scarcity due to climate change, emphasizing the need to take climate change seriously, especially amid the increasing demand for water by people, industries, and agriculture.

In the fifth session, “Moving Faith Forward: Youth Leadership and Faith-Based Climate Advocacy,” participants underscored that youth are leaders of the future and must be equipped with diverse knowledge and strengthened capabilities to effectively engage in and address contemporary global challenges.

The final session, “Afrodescendant People’s Day: Hope and Resilient Communities Against Climate Change,” emphasized the importance of supporting the climate agenda for African communities most affected by climate change impacts. Participants called for the formulation of an internationally recognized African climate agenda that could play a pivotal role in providing the necessary funding to support projects related to addressing losses and damages.

Tomorrow, on the fourth day of the Faith Pavilion at COP28, several sessions will focus on the interconnection of financing, ethics, and human rights, forced migration and displacement, faith and indigenous peoples, Islamic social financing for climate action, and faith-consistent investment to address climate challenges and poverty resulting from climate change.