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His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, has received Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Mamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, and his accompanying delegation to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation in religious, academic, and intellectual fields.

His Eminence expressed his deep appreciation for the longstanding and solid historical ties between Al‑Azhar and the Sultanate of Oman and its people. He praised the Omani model as one that embraces all, fosters genuine human fraternity, and promotes constructive coexistence. He reaffirmed that Al‑Azhar bears the responsibility of safeguarding the unity and cohesion of the Muslim Ummah, working to bring scholars together and address factors of division—particularly in light of the exceptional challenges facing the Arab and Islamic worlds today.

His Eminence added that, in partnership with the Muslim Council of Elders, Al‑Azhar launched the first edition of the “Intra–Islamic Dialogue” in February last year in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The goal, he noted, is to achieve scholarly unity, bring the scholars of the Ummah to one dialogue table, and work toward strengthening Islamic fraternity and turning the page on disagreements—thereby contributing to greater stability and reinforcing the values of cooperation and understanding across the Ummah.

For his part, Oman’s Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs affirmed Oman’s deep appreciation for the role of Al‑Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders in serving Islam, supporting the causes of the Ummah, fostering unity, and strengthening Islamic solidarity—efforts that, he said, are greatly needed in present times.

The Muslim Council of Elders hosted its third seminar at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 under the theme: “Intra Islamic Dialogue – A Reading of the Call for the People of Qiblah.” The session explored the importance of unity, coexistence, and shared human values in light of the “Call for the People of Qiblah”. The seminar featured distinguished speakers: Prof. Dr. Syed Irfan Habib, prominent historian and author; Prof. Dr. M.A. Sikandar, Director of the Centre for Distance Education at Jamia Hamdard; and Prof. Dr. Zikrur Rahman, Founding Director of the India Arab Cultural Centre.

Opening the discussion, Dr. Zikrur Rahman emphasized that the Call for the People of Qiblah, issued in the Kingdom of Bahrain, seeks to foster unity and strengthen relations within the Muslim community. He noted that the initiative aligns closely with the values championed in the Document on Human Fraternity, particularly the principles of coexistence, compassion, and solidarity.

Dr. Rahman highlighted that Islam, like all religions, calls for togetherness and categorically rejects extremism. Citing Qur’anic teachings, he stressed that humanity was created in nations and tribes “to come to know one another,” underscoring the centrality of human fraternity. He also addressed the role of cultural centers in bridging differences across schools of thought and strengthening national cohesion.

Prof. Dr. M.A. Sikandar underscored the essential role of educational institutions in deepening intra Islamic understanding through sustained dialogue and inclusive curricula. He emphasized that universities serve as vital spaces where diverse cultures and perspectives meet, enabling students to cultivate mutual acceptance and respect.

Dr. Sikandar also highlighted the growing importance of digital learning environments, noting that they provide safe and encouraging platforms for interfaith and intra faith engagement. He pointed to new opportunities for madrasa students who can now access modern education, learn languages, and develop skills for global integration.

In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Syed Irfan Habib stated that both the Call for the People of Qiblah and the Document on Human Fraternity are essential for strengthening coexistence within Muslim societies and fostering goodwill among nations. He argued that genuine unity becomes possible when people see one another first as human beings rather than solely through religious identities.

Dr. Habib stressed that building bridges requires mutual engagement and a willingness to share space, particularly to safeguard the well being of minorities. He concluded by noting that living a moral life filled with coexistence is a personal commitment, and that religion, at its core, should not be a source of division.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ participation in the New Delhi World Book Fair stems from its belief in the pivotal role of knowledge and culture as fundamental pillars for fostering understanding, countering division, reinforcing social cohesion, and affirming the importance of religious and intellectual institutions in addressing global issues and building bridges of communication and dialogue among societies.

The seminar was the third in a series of seminars and cultural activities held by the Muslim Council of Elders at its pavilion in Bharat Mandapam, Hall No. 4, Pavilion H 06, as part of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026.

The Muslim Council of Elders hosted its second seminar at the New Delhi World Book Fair under the theme “Interfaith Dialogue in the Spirit of the Document on Human Fraternity.” The session brought together leading scholars and peace advocates to discuss how the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity can guide societies toward deeper understanding, coexistence, and mutual respect. 

Giani Jaskirat Singh, Spiritual Researcher and Anti Extremism and Peace Activist, described the Document on Human Fraternity as a transformative initiative that reminds the world of the seriousness and responsibility required to build lasting peace. He stressed that genuine interfaith dialogue must begin by recognizing the fundamental truth that “as human beings, we are all equal.” He argued that peace emerges not from highlighting differences but from identifying the deep commonalities shared by all people. Singh reflected on the idea that inner conflict is often the source of outer chaos, and that true peace “beyond ideas, beliefs, culture, or tradition” comes from awakening to our shared humanity and becoming sensitive to the suffering of others. Interfaith encounters, he said, create the space for this rediscovery.

Prof. Dr. P. R. Kumaraswamy, Professor of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, described the Document on Human Fraternity as inclusive, timeless, and fundamentally anchored in the principle of equality rather than mere tolerance. He called it a “roadmap” that invites continual refinement and implementation, rather than a document that stands completed. Kumaraswamy also noted that genuine dialogue is grounded in equality, mutual respect, and a willingness to focus on shared values among religions to help manage inevitable differences. Even when deep disagreements exist, he argued, dialogue remains indispensable for reducing ignorance, prejudice, and extremism.

Prof. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Professor of English Language and Literature at Indira Gandhi National Open University, described the Document on Human Fraternity as “the moral necessity of today.” Signed by leading Christian and Muslim figures to uphold the spirit of human fraternity, it aligns closely with the Indian Constitution’s emphasis on fraternity as a safeguard of dignity and freedom of religion. He emphasized that the essence of the document lies in seeing others as “a brother or a sister.”  He also highlighted how compassion transcends religious boundaries and how unconditional help is a universal moral calling. Professor Kumar also stressed that dialogues promoting human empathy and interfaith understanding are essential for peaceful societies.

Throughout the seminar, participants agreed that the Document on Human Fraternity offers a powerful framework for confronting modern challenges—whether extremism, polarization, or cultural fragmentation—by reinvigorating timeless values rooted in human dignity and shared responsibility. They called for interfaith and intercultural dialogue to become a continuous, active practice, enabling communities to move beyond stereotypes and toward genuine coexistence. Speakers also emphasized that the document—co-signed in 2019 by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb—remains one of the most important global calls for fraternity, compassion, and shared humanity in an era marked by polarization and conflict.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ participation in the New Delhi World Book Fair stems from its belief in the pivotal role of knowledge and culture as fundamental pillars for fostering understanding, countering division, reinforcing social cohesion, and affirming the importance of religious and intellectual institutions in addressing global issues and building bridges of communication and dialogue among societies.

The Council’s pavilion at the New Delhi World Book Fair is located at Bharat Mandapam, Hall No. 4, Pavilion H-06.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends heartfelt congratulations to the Islamic nation on the occasion of Isra and Mi’raj—an esteemed event that embodies the highest meanings of faith, patience, and trust in Allah’s promise, while reaffirming the essential role of spiritual and moral values.

The Council emphasizes that the commemoration of Isra and Mi’raj represents a momentous spiritual milestone, carrying profound messages about the elevation of the soul, the virtue of unwavering conviction, the importance of upholding noble character and performing righteous deeds, and the need to deepen the values of mercy, tolerance, and mutual understanding among all people. The Council notes that the world today is in urgent need of values that unite rather than divide, and that build rather than destroy.

On this blessed occasion, the Muslim Council of Elders calls for drawing inspiration from the lessons of Isra and Mi’raj to reinforce peace, reject violence and hatred, promote wisdom and moderation, and advance joint efforts for the good of humanity and the preservation of its dignity—reflecting the noble Islamic principles that advocate for justice, compassion, and peaceful coexistence.

May Allah bless all humanity with security, peace, and stability, and make this occasion an opportunity to strengthen spiritual and human values, unite the Ummah, and inspire hope for a better future for all.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders is participating in the New Delhi World Book Fair, which will be held from January 10 to 18, 2026, at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center in the Indian capital, New Delhi. The Council’s participation stems from its mission to promote peace, establish the values of dialogue and tolerance, and build bridges of cooperation and human coexistence.

Throughout the days of the fair, the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion will present over 270 publications, including a number of the latest releases from Al-Hokamah Publishing. These include over 20 works by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, aimed at introducing the tolerance of Islam and the richness of its intellectual and philosophical heritage. Among these works are: “Al-Qawl Al-Tayyib,” “From My Old Notebooks,” “A View on East-West Dialogue,” “An Introduction to the Study of Ancient Logic,” “A Discourse on Causes and Objectives,” “On Sufi Theological Terminology,” “Heritage and Renewal,” “For the Sake of Peace,” “Reflections on the Thought of Imam Al-Ash‘ari,” “Etiquette and Values,” “Towards Contemporary Jurisprudential Ijtihad,” and “Lady Aisha, Mother of the Believers,” among others.

The pavilion will also feature several important publications, including: “Love in the Holy Qur’an” by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders; “The Pope and the Grand Imam: A Thorny Path” by Judge Mohamed Abdel Salam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders; “Rules of Understanding and Comprehension in Thought and Language” by Dr. Mustafa Benhamza, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders; and “Muslims at a Crossroads” by the late Dr. Mahmoud Hamdi Zakzouk, among others.

Recognizing the importance of translation as a bridge between civilizations, the Council will also showcase 25 books in Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam, including: Al-Qawl Al-Tayyib, Care for Women’s Rights, Interpretation of Ibn Furak, A Discourse on Peace, Dialogue Between East and West, and  Freedom and Citizenship.

Additionally, the pavilion will present numerous translated works, such as “The Voice of Change,” “Shared Universal Values and Building International Peace” by a group of researchers, “Combating Islamophobia in Europe” by a group of researchers, “Islam and Good Governance” by Professor Dr. Muqtedar Khan, and “Islam, the West, and Tolerance: Conceiving Coexistence” by Aaron Tyler.

As part of its participation in this cultural event, the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion will organize a series of seminars aimed at fostering discussions that promote social cohesion and highlight the role of religions in addressing contemporary challenges. These seminars will cover several important topics, including: “AI for Humanity: Religious Perspectives on Ethical Artificial Intelligence”, “Interfaith Dialogue in the Spirit of the Document on Human Fraternity” and “Intra-Islamic Dialogue – A Reading of the Call for the People of Qiblah”.

The participation of the Muslim Council of Elders in the New Delhi World Book Fair reflects its ongoing efforts to build bridges of communication between cultures and affirm the importance of shared human values on the global stage. The Council’s pavilion (H6) is located in Hall 4 at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

The Muslim Council of Elders hosted the first seminar at the New Delhi World Book Fair under the title “AI for Humanity: Religious Perspectives on Ethical Artificial Intelligence,” bringing together distinguished journalists and academics to examine AI’s transformative power through the lens of faith, ethics, and public interest. 

The discussion explored how interfaith dialogue can provide a shared moral vocabulary—rooted in truthfulness, justice, compassion, and human dignity—to guide the development and deployment of AI for the common good. 

Asad Mirza, Prominent Writer and Journalist emphasized that technologies which advance knowledge and benefit society are encouraged, provided they are used responsibly and transparently. He highlighted promising applications—such as traffic management, climate resilience, agricultural productivity, and weather forecasting—while warning against tools that could undermine justice. Mirza called for interfaith and interdisciplinary collaboration so that technologists, ethicists, and faith leaders can together define boundaries between beneficial use and morally ambiguous placing human judgment above automated outputs.

Prof. Dr. Mudassar Qamar, Associate Professor – Jawaharlal Nehru University, outlined three ethical pillars that should frame AI’s development across traditions and jurisdictions: ethical data generation that is free from bias and responsibly sourced; ethical processing that accounts for environmental costs such as energy and water use; and ethical usage secured by safeguards at the individual, societal, and governmental levels. He noted that these principles resonate across religious teachings and offer a practical foundation for cross faith cooperation, ensuring that AI remains equitable, sustainable, and aligned with human rights.

Sanjay Kapoor, President – Editors Guild of India, underscored the need for critical human oversight and distinct regulatory approaches for AI, given its capacity to produce convincing yet fabricated narratives. He pointed to emerging newsroom realities in which AI can rapidly generate sophisticated text but often lacks the human perspective and emotional nuance that readers trust. 

Kapoor urged media organizations to reinvest in original reporting and rigorous fact checking, arguing that values driven editorial standards—shaped by ethical and interfaith commitments to truth and responsibility—are indispensable in an age of algorithmic content.

Participants in the seminar also agreed that while still young, AI direct role in interfaith relations and dialogue remains nascent yet promising with careful human supervision, it can facilitate comparative study of religious messages, enhance translation and interpretation of texts, and promote global understanding by illuminating the universal ethics shared across traditions. Concluding the session, panelists also agreed that AI’s enormous potential must be matched by robust regulation, developer responsibility, organizational codes of conduct, and vigilant human oversight. Above all, they affirmed that interfaith dialogue provides a vital forum for aligning technological innovation with enduring moral principles—so that artificial intelligence advances the dignity, well being, and flourishing of all.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ participation in the New Delhi World Book Fair stems from its belief in the pivotal role of knowledge and culture as fundamental pillars for fostering understanding, countering division, reinforcing social cohesion, and affirming the importance of religious and intellectual institutions in addressing global issues and building bridges of communication and dialogue among societies.

The Council’s pavilion at the New Delhi World Book Fair is located at Bharat Mandapam, Hall No. 4, Pavilion H-06.

The Muslim Council of Elders has inaugrated its participation in the 2026 New Delhi World Book Fair through its pavilion, which showcases more than 270 publications in eight languages. The Council’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to promoting dialogue, strengthening the values of peace, and upholding the principles of coexistence and mutual respect among peoples and cultures.

The opening day of the fair witnessed large engagement from visitors, intellectuals, researchers, and representatives of cultural and academic institutions. Attendees explored the Council’s publications and intellectual initiatives addressing critical issues such as peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, intra-Islamic dialogue, and the role of religions in confronting contemporary ethical challenges.

The Council’s participation stems from its belief in the pivotal role of knowledge and culture as fundamental pillars for fostering understanding, countering division, reinforcing social cohesion, and affirming the importance of religious and intellectual institutions in addressing global issues and building bridges of communication and dialogue among societies.

Also as part of its participation, the Council will host a series of seminars focusing on contemporary humanitarian and philosophical issues. These include interfaith dialogue, intra-Islamic dialogue, and the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence. Seminars will feature leading scholars, thinkers, and opinion leaders, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity and its conviction that dialogue is a cornerstone for building cohesive societies founded on peace, understanding, and mutual respect.

The New Delhi World Book Fair is considered one of the most prominent cultural and publishing events globally, bringing together publishing houses, intellectuals, and cultural institutions from around the world. It provides a vital platform for dialogue, cultural exchange, and the promotion of reading and knowledge.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the New Delhi World Book Fair is located at Bharat Mandapam, Hall No. 4, Pavilion H-06.

His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, called upon the brotherly Yemeni people, in all their factions and components, to unite and to elevate the voice of reason, wisdom, and the spirit of fraternity to safeguard Yemen’s unity, stability, and territorial integrity.

In a post published on his official Facebook and X accounts, His Eminence wrote: “Our brothers and sisters in Yemen—this land so dear to every Arab and Muslim—we sincerely urge you to elevate the spirit of fraternity and the voice of reason and wisdom for which the people of Yemen have long been known. Our noble Messenger (peace be upon him) spoke of this when he said: ‘The people of Yemen have come to you and they are more gentle and soft-hearted. Belief is Yemenite and Wisdom is Yemenite.’ Hold fast to this wisdom, preserve the unity of your country, and turn toward peace through dialogue and consultation.”

The Grand Imam also called on Arab nations and the international community to intensify efforts to safeguard the stability of Yemen, warning against the grave risks of fragmentation and extremism. He recalled the Qur’anic verse: “And do not dispute with one another, or you would be discouraged and weakened” (The Qur’an, 8:46).

He concluded his message with a prayer for Yemen and the wider Arab and Muslim worlds, saying: “O Allah, protect the lands of the Arab and Muslim nations, and spare them from discord and strife, both manifest and hidden.”

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Arab and Muslim worlds, and to all of humanity, on the advent of the New Year 2026. The Council prays that the coming year will be one of peace, understanding, coexistence, and shared human values.

The Council affirms that the new year represents a renewed opportunity for the global human family to promote a culture of dialogue, reject violence and hatred, and advance collective efforts to build a more just, compassionate, and stable world. It emphasizes that true peace can only be achieved through adherence to moral values and respect for human dignity.

The Council calls upon religious, intellectual, and political leaders, as well as international institutions, to unite their efforts to end conflicts and wars, address the root causes of crises, and promote a discourse grounded in wisdom and reason—one that contributes to communal peace and human security.

The Council also renews its commitment in 2026 to advancing the values of moderation, tolerance, and human fraternity, and to further promoting dialogue among religions and cultures, in pursuit of a more compassionate, just, and peaceful future marked by solidarity and coexistence.