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The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, stressed the importance of the role played by religious leaders, symbols, and institutions in promoting harmony between individual and public rights within societies and states, and in emphasizing the importance of dialogue between different regions and cultures on inclusive citizenship and freedom of religion and belief.

In his speech at the ‘Euro-MENA Dialogue on Inclusive Citizenship and Freedom of Religion and Belief: Bridging and Advancing the two agendas’, which was held in cooperation with the British and Italian Foreign Ministries and a number of institutions in the field of interfaith dialogue and representatives of different religions, the Secretary-General said that the Muslim Council of Elders is working to ensure these rights and to emphasize the role of religious leaders in addressing global challenges, including the right to a steady climate, through addressing the effects of climate change and raising awareness of its effects. The participation of the Council in the upcoming COP28 summit in Dubai, which will be preceded by a summit for religious leaders also represents a new stage in strengthening the presence of religious and moral discourse in addressing climate change, both intellectually and institutionally.

Judge Abdelsalam added that the hope is to be able to work in a similar way on all other issues of human rights, including the agenda of inclusive citizenship and freedom of religion and belief, which are rooted in religions, and to work through partnership and cooperation formulas in a way that reconciles the convictions of conscience with the requirements of citizenship, with all its rights and duties. This is a hope that drives everyone to continue working and cooperating with all wills and institutions, he stressed.

The Secretary-General further explained that this meeting reflects a cultural awareness and institutional will to reconcile the goals of inclusive citizenship and freedom of religion and belief. In a region of important global cultural communication that brings together Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, the three shores of the Mediterranean, which has represented the descent of the heavenly messages, the cradle of human philosophies throughout history, and a promising horizon for interaction and cooperation. He also noted that despite the positive indicators of the growth of awareness of them, the reconciliation between them still faces a double challenge, which is represented in preconceived stereotypes, and the extent to which religions and different cultures contribute to the establishment of human dignity, fraternity, and coexistence within the framework of full citizenship relationships, which is what the Muslim Council of Elders is working towards. This, he noted, is also stipulated in the Document of Human Fraternity, which was co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Additionally, the Secretary-General called for the need to work to invest the potential of religions and the ability of their symbols in order to influence the consolidation of that integrated system of freedoms and public rights, since no components can succeed or be consolidated in legislation and social practice without the other, especially since it needs to deal with cultural, geographical, and identity elements that need moral and symbolic legitimacy to overcome them.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its congratulations to the Arab and Islamic worlds, as well as the entire world, on the occasion of the noble Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday.

The Council affirms that the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a momentous event that marked a significant turning point in human history as he was sent as a mercy and a light to all worlds, guiding people from darkness to light, spreading the values of peace, justice, tolerance, and coexistence among humanity. As mentioned in the Holy Quran: {And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.}

On this occasion, the Muslim Council of Elders calls upon the Islamic Ummah to emulate the noble characterstics of the Prophet, as stated in the Quran: {And indeed, you are of a great moral character.}. It also encourages reviving the Prophetic Sunnah, studying his life, and following his guidance in all aspects of our lives. The Council affirms that the divine and ethical knowledge enriched by the teachings of the Prophethood constitute the roadmap to salvation for Arabs, Muslims, and the entire world.

Furthermore, the Muslim Council of Elders calls upon the Western world to engage in a fair stydy of the life of the Prophet (PBUH) and to abandon all forms of racism, hatred, discrimination while refraining from disrespecting religious symbols, sanctities, and scriptures.

Muslim Council of Elders Calls for Enacting Binding International Legislation Criminalizing Religious Insults and the Desecration of Sacred Texts

Muslim Council of Elders Affirms that Repeated Offenses against Religions Undermine Efforts to Promote Values of Dialogue, Tolerance, and Coexistence

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the tearing of the Holy Quran by extremists in front of several embassies in The Hague. The Council also emphasizes that such criminal acts reflect a repugnant racism and a vile hatred towards Islam and Muslims.

The Muslim Council of Elders affirms its categorical rejection of such provocative acts that offend the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world, specifically during the celebration of the Noble Prophet’s birthday. The Council calls upon Western nations to have a fair understanding of Islam and its tolerant teachings and not rely on defaming Islamic sanctities under false pretense of “freedom of expression”.

The Muslim Council of Elders calls for the necessity of enacting binding international legislation that criminalizes the denigration of religions and sacred texts. It also urges the confrontation of all forms of bigotry, hatred, and Islamophobia, as they undermine efforts aimed at spreading and promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, acceptance, and respect for others.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ booth at the 2023 Islamic Book Fair in Indonesia has been awarded with the award for Best Booth at this year’s fair. This recognition was bestowed upon the Council among hundreds of local and international institutions, publishing houses, and organizations participating at the fair, which took place from September 20th to 24th at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

The participation of the Muslim Council of Elders also received significant acclaim for the various activities and events organized at the council’s stand. His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders and former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, emphasized that the Council’s active participation in numerous book fairs worldwide reflects its commitment to promoting true Islam, correcting misconceptions, and highlighting the values of tolerance, peace, harmony, and human fraternity.

Dr. Luqman Hakim Saifuddin, former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the participation of the Muslim Council of Elders and the significant publications it presented, which made its booth a popular attraction for many visitors to the fair. Dr. Abdul Muta’i, the Secretary-General of the Muhammadiyah Association also affirmed during his visit to the Council’s booth that the displayed books reflect various great ideas, contributing significantly to correcting misconceptions prevalent among many young people today.

The booth of the Muslim Council of Elders concluded its second consecutive participation in the 2023 Islamic Book Fair with a number of activities and events that garnered great interest from attendees who flocked daily to the booth to explore the latest and most important publications of Dar Al-Hokama for Publishing and to participate in seminars and events organized by the Indonesian branch of the Council.

The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international body chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. Established in Abu Dhabi in 2019, its objective is to promote peace in both Muslim and non-Muslim societies. The Council’s membership includes various scholars and leaders known for their sense of justice and moderation, aiming to enhance the values of tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ Indonesian branch organized a seminar titled ‘Religion and Climate Issues’ as part of the council’s participation in the 2023 Islamic Book Fair in Indonesia. The event drew notable attendance, especially from the youth, who gathered at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta.

The seminar focused on the discussion and review of the book ‘The Last Generation: Islamic World Activity to Prevent Climate Change and Environmental Extinction’. Dr. Muhammad Zainul Majdi, member of the Executive Office of the Muslim Council of Elders, and Dr. Fakhrudin Mohammad Mangunjaya, the Head of the Islamic Studies Center at the National University of Jakarta, took part in the discussion.

In his address, Dr. Muhammad Zainul Majdi praised the enthusiasm of the young university students in the seminar which focused on the environment and climate change. He emphasized that the youth are the most influential actors in caring for the future of Indonesia and the world in order to ensure greater prosperity. He reminded them of the Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) hadith: “Start with yourself, then those you provide for,” signifying the necessity for each individual to begin by personally caring for the environment, such as conserving daily water consumption, avoiding excessive use of plastic materials, and showing more concern for environmental sustainability.

Following the seminar’s conclusion, Dr. Muhammad Zainul Majdi and Dr. Fakhrudin visited the Council’s stand in the Mecca hall. They commended the Council’s participation and the publications of Dar Al-Hikma Publishing, which aim to rectify misconceptions, spread the true teachings of religion, raise awareness among the youth about contemporary issues, and emphasize the role of religions in facing global challenges, particularly climate change.

For the second consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders is participating with in the Islamic Book Fair in Indonesia, reflecting the council’s message under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar which is aimed at promoting peace and establishing values of dialogue, tolerance, and fostering cooperation among people of different races and beliefs.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located in the Mecca hall at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ Indonesian branch organized a seminar in the main hall of the 2023 Islamic Book Fair in Indonesia. The seminar announced the publishing of thee book ‘Islam and Politics: Civilized Political Behavior,’ authored by His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, Indonesia’s former Minister of Religious Affairs and member of the Muslim Council of Elders.

The seminar was attended by Dr. Luqman Hakim Saifuddin, the former Minister of Religious Affairs of Indonesia, and Dr. Abdul Muta’i, the Secretary-General of the Muhammadiyah Association. They highlighted the book, which received great acclaim from the exhibition visitors, in light of the significant scientific and intellectual experience of His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab.

Following the seminar, Dr. Quraish Shihab, Dr. Luqman Hakim Saifuddin, and Dr. Abdul Muta’i visited the council’s booth where they were welcomed by Dr. Mukhlis Muhammad Hanafi, the Director of the council’s branch in Indonesia. They praised the outstanding participation of the council in the Islamic Book Fair in Indonesia and the council’s message aimed at spreading and enhancing the values of peace, tolerance, and coexistence.

For the second consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders is participating with in the Islamic Book Fair in Indonesia, reflecting the council’s message under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar which is aimed at promoting peace and establishing values of dialogue, tolerance, and fostering cooperation among people of different races and beliefs.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located in the Mecca hall at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

The Muslim Council of Elders organized a seminar at the Islamic Book Fair in Indonesia, focusing on the Document on Human Fraternity which was co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

The seminar was presented by Dr. Salah Al-Shami, member of the Heritage Revival Center at Al-Azhar, and Dr. Mukhlis Hanafi, the Director of the branch of the Muslim Council of Elders in Indonesia. During the seminar, the spotlight was placed on the Document on Human Fraternity and its discussion as a foundation for dialogue, coexistence, and the establishment of the concept of citizenship.

Dr. Mukhlis Hanafi emphasized that the Document on Human Fraternity is based on the awareness that all humans are brothers. He further pointed out that the document embodies the principles of tolerance, coexistence, which are advocated by all religions. It also represents an extension of the values included in the Charter of Medina, which was signed in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) allowing all members of the city, regardless of their religious or ethnic background, to live together as one community.

The Director of the branch of the Muslim Council of Elders in Indonesia highlighted the concept of citizenship as one of the concepts included in the Document on Human Fraternity. This concept is based on the principle of equality in rights and duties within a nation regardless of race or religion. He pointed out that this concept reflects respect for diversity and the necessary acceptance of others to build nations, contributing to the creation of a harmonious and understanding society.

Dr. Salah Al-Shami provided an explanation of the general concept of the document and an interpretation of its key terms. He explained that there is a close relationship between these three terms: “document,” “fraternity,” and “humanity,” and “Islamic law.” The word “document” refers to the meaning of agreement or covenant and what it entails in terms of consensus.

He added that the second term, “fraternity,” expresses the concept of brotherhood and connection between humans. He pointed out that there are two types of fraternity: religious fraternity, as in Islam, which comes from Islamic teachings and appears in the teachings of the Quran and Hadith. Meanwhile, human fraternity lies in people living and cooperating together, regardless of their religious, ethnic, or tribal affiliations. He further explained that the term “humanity” refers to the essence of the human call to hold onto their humanity and its values even before their call to religion.

For the second consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders is participating in the Islamic Book Fair in Indonesia, reflecting the council’s message under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar which is aimed at promoting peace and establishing values of dialogue, tolerance, and fostering cooperation among people of different races and beliefs.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located in the Mecca hall at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: The World Needs the Efforts of Youth in Facing International Challenges and Keeping Pace with Technological Advances

Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities Commends the Initiatives of the Muslim Council of Elders in Promoting Peace and Human Fraternity

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, has met with His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of the Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities. The meeting took place at the university’s campus and focused on ways to enhance mutual cooperation.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General emphasized the crucial role played by educational institutions in instilling noble human values in the hearts and minds of youth. He also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities in preparing a generation of young graduates capable of serving their nation and community, as well as contributing to effective solutions for the challenges our world faces today, while also keeping pace with technological advancements.

For his part, Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri expressed his appreciation for the Muslim Council of Elders under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azha and noted that the integration of efforts between scholars and educational institutions aims to create generations capable of carrying the banner of wisdom and knowledge. He further commended the council’s initiatives aimed at preparing a generation of young people capable of promoting peace and enhancing the values of human fraternity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has called for the necessity of fostering a culture of peace, compassion, tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect among all people, despite their differences and diversity. This is in order to create a world that is more secure, peaceful, just, developed, and sustainable.

In a statement on the International Day of Peace, celebrated by the United Nations on September 21 of each year, the Council emphasizes that the day represents an important opportunity to strengthen and build bridges of communication, understanding, and compassion amongst all people, and to reject violence and extremism in all its forms and manifestations. The Council also affirmed that religions were intended to promote the values of peace, and were never meant to be advocates for wars, conflicts, or disputes.

Under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders has made numerous efforts to promote peace in both Muslim and non-Muslim societies, and to spread the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence through various purposeful initiatives. This includes organizing the World Peace Conference in 2017, with the participation of His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church who also co-signed the historic Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Believing in the role and active contribution of young people in promoting global peace, the Muslim Council of Elders also launched the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, aiming to equip a generation of young individuals capable of actively contributing to peacebuilding and positively engaging in their communities through a range of initiatives. Furthermore, the Council dispatched international peace convoys that traveled around the world, to help rectify misconceptions and confront extremist ideologies.

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders affirms that the painful history of Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be forgotten

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders affirms the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an Islamic center in the heart of Europe

Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Cairo extends official invitation to Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to participate in commemoration of Srebrenica massacre

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has met with Ambassador Sabit Subasic, the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Egypt. During the meeting, His Eminence reaffirmed his support for Muslim communities around the world, especially in Europe. He also stressed Al-Azhar’s commitment to helping Muslim communities in the West to integrate positively into their societies.

The Grand Imam stressed the importance of not forgetting the harsh history that Bosnia has endured, with the suffering of the Bosnian people remaining deeply ingrained in our memory. He also highlighted the supportive role of Al-Azhar in advocating for the issues of the Islamic nation and expressed readiness to support the Bosnian people, strengthen their attachment to their homeland, and preserve their Islamic identity. He further noted the significance of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an an Islamic center in the heart of Europe.

For his part, the Bosnian Ambassador expressed his pleasure at meeting with the Grand Imam and conveyed his nation’s appreciation for the significant efforts undertaken by His Eminence in supporting Islamic causes. He also extended an official invitation to the Grand Imam to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in commemorating the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, which occurred on July 11, 1995, and claimed the lives of thousands of Muslims.