ALL

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received Dr. Volker Kauder, Professor of Ethics, Politics, and Religious Freedom at the Free Theological University of Giessen, Germany, to discuss strengthening interfaith dialogue and consolidating the values of human fraternity.

During the meeting, His Eminence emphasized that the Document on Human Fraternity was written first and foremost in the voice of humanity before it was written in the voice of religions. He highlighted the openness of Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders to religious institutions worldwide in order to establish a just peace that preserves human dignity.

For his part, Professor Kauder praised the tireless efforts of His Eminence in promoting tolerance and positive coexistence and entrenching the values of global peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends congratulations to Egypt’s Dar al-Iftaa on the occasion of its 130th anniversary. Dar al-Iftaa remains one of the most venerable religious institutions in the Islamic world, having played a pivotal role for over a century in consolidating Al-Azhar’s enlightened, moderate methodology and enhancing societal awareness through responsible and principled fatwa issuance.

The Council commends Dar al-Iftaa’s pioneering contributions to the disciplined practice of iftāʾ, the promotion of moderate Islamic thought, the reinforcement of social stability, and the entrenchment of values of compassion and coexistence. It also affirms that Dar al-Iftaa stands as an outstanding model of rigorous, institutional religious scholarship both within Egypt and across the Muslim world.

The Muslim Council of Elders took part in a panel discussion titled “Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Diversity: In Search of Universal Ethics”, held virtually and organized by the International Center for Interreligious Dialogue in Kazakhstan in partnership with the Baku International Center for Intercultural Dialogue. The session brought together prominent religious and intellectual leaders as well as AI experts from leading global universities.

During the discussion, Mohamed Al-Amin, Director-General of the Muslim Council of Elders’ Regional Office in Central Asia, emphasized that artificial intelligence is no longer merely a technological advancement but has become a profound ethical and human test. Societies and decision-makers must ensure that technology is harnessed to serve human dignity, foster mutual understanding, and promote peace among peoples. He noted that AI has the potential to address major humanitarian challenges—such as eradicating poverty, combating diseases, and enhancing cross-cultural communication—yet the absence of ethical frameworks could turn it into a source of inequality and social risk.

He highlighted the Council’s strong focus on technology and ethics, citing the regional workshop it organized in Central Asia in collaboration with L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and the Kazakh Senate, titled “Artificial Intelligence and Ethics – A Sustainable Future” in Astana. The workshop concluded that AI is as much an ethical revolution as a technological one and requires international cooperation to ensure its responsible and equitable use.

Al-Amin also announced upcoming events organized by the Council’s Regional Office in Turkistan and Almaty during November and December, focusing on media and peace journalism in the age of artificial intelligence, with the aim of raising societal awareness and promoting the use of AI technologies to support civil peace and intercultural communication.

The session saw broad participation from government officials, representatives of diverse religious institutions, and AI experts from global universities. Speakers explored mechanisms for ensuring the ethical responsibility of intelligent systems, the role of religious and cultural traditions in enriching AI ethics frameworks, and the importance of developing legal and policy frameworks that promote the responsible use of modern technologies.

The discussion concluded with a strong call to formulate universal ethics for artificial intelligence drawn from shared human values, reflecting cultural diversity while safeguarding justice and human dignity in the digital age.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, vehemently condemns the horrific kidnapping targetting St. Mary’s Catholic School in northwestern Nigeria. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, the incident resulted in the abduction of 315 students, teachers, and staff from the school.

The Muslim Council of Elders affirms that targeting children and educational institutions is a heinous crime that contradicts the teachings of the noble Islamic faith and all divine religions and laws, violating the most basic ethical and human values, as well as international laws and conventions that guarantee children’s right to education and a safe life free from violence and intimidation.

The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its unequivocal solidarity with the families of the abducted students and teachers, calling for urgent and unified international action for the immediate release of all hostages, enhance the protection of educational institutions, and ensure that such horrific crimes are not repeated. May Allah return all the abducted to their families safely, and protect Nigeria and its people from all harm and evil.

The Muslim Council of Elders participated in the Media Forum organized by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Broadcasting Union, in cooperation with the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, under the theme “Experiences and Applications of Artificial Intelligence.” The event brought together a distinguished group of media leaders, experts, and specialists from across the Islamic world.

Representatives of the Muslim Council of Elders highlighted the Council’s efforts in promoting responsible media that advances the values of tolerance and human fraternity, as well as its leading initiatives in dialogue and coexistence. They also showcased projects aimed at empowering youth and strengthening an informed media culture rooted in respect for diversity and countering hate speech.

During its intervention, the Council emphasized the importance of using artificial intelligence ethically and humanely, in a way that enhances media content, supports social peace, and prevents the misuse of technology for spreading extremism, hatred, or misinformation. The Council also referenced its ongoing initiative, the “AI Ethics Charter,” developed in cooperation with the Vatican and Al-Azhar.

The forum honored the Muslim Council of Elders with an Excellence Shield in recognition of its active role in promoting dialogue and tolerance, and its significant contributions to employing media for the advancement of shared human values.

The participation of the Muslim Council of Elders in this important media event reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the presence of human-centered discourse in global media, and to building effective partnerships with leading media institutions across the Islamic world, in support of its mission to promote peace and foster a culture of coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders participated in the 19th edition of the Al Burda Award ceremony, held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi and organized by the UAE Ministry of Culture, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam affirmed that the Al Burda Award represents a prestigious cultural and intellectual platform that elevates the value of Islamic arts and reflects the United Arab Emirates’ vision in entrenching values of diversity, mutual respect, and cultural openness. He praised the event for providing a global space for dialogue and cultural exchange, bringing together poets, artists, and calligraphers from various countries around the world.

He added that such important initiatives contribute to deepening human bonds and building bridges of understanding among peoples, aligning with the Muslim Council of Elders’ mission to promote peace and coexistence.

This year’s edition was held under the theme “Social Cohesion and Unity,” in line with the UAE’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community. The ceremony featured inspiring cultural and artistic performances, including the announcement of winners in the fields of Arabic calligraphy, poetry, and ornamentation, in addition to Islamic music performances that blended classical traditions with contemporary creativity.

The ceremony was attended by a number of ministers, senior officials, diplomats, as well as prominent cultural figures.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, extends his sincerest congratulations to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and to the brotherly people of the Sultanate of Oman on the occasion of the Sultanate’s 55th National Day.

His Eminence affirms the depth of the fraternal ties with the people of Oman, praying to Almighty God to continue to bless the sisterly Sultanate of Oman with security, prosperity, progress, and stability.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that protecting children’s rights is a religious, moral, and human imperative that contributes to building more stable, just, and peaceful societies. The Council stressed that investing in children is an investment in the future of nations, emphasizing the need for collective international and community efforts to safeguard the security, safety, and well-being of children everywhere.

In a statement marking World Children’s Day, observed annually on 20 November, the Council highlighted that children form the foundation of every society, and that safeguarding their rights is a shared responsibility. This includes ensuring their full access to education, healthcare, and protection from violence and neglect. The Council underscored the importance of providing a safe, balanced environment that nurtures children’s abilities and helps develop personalities capable of contributing positively to society.

The Muslim Council of Elders also noted the pivotal role of the family in instilling moral and human values in children, and in reinforcing the principles of compassion, dialogue, and mutual respect. It called for intensified efforts to protect children affected by conflict, disasters, and poverty, and to provide them with the necessary support to guarantee a dignified life and fair opportunities for learning and development. This aligns with the principles of the historic Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and the late Pope Francis, former Head of the Catholic Church, which places human dignity and the right to a safe life at the forefront of priorities.

The Muslim Council of Elders places significant emphasis on children and youth through its programs and initiatives aimed at promoting the values of human fraternity and peaceful coexistence. These include supporting educational and developmental initiatives that cultivate the principles of compassion, cooperation, and respect for others, protect young people from extremist ideologies and hatred, and empower them to contribute positively to building fairer and more equitable societies.

The Muslim Council of Elders, at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, received H.E. Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Culture and Arts Development Fund in the Republic of Uzbekistan, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in reviving the legacy of the scholars of the ummah, promoting the values of tolerance and mutual respect, and preparing a generation of young people capable of building coexistence and peace.

During the meeting, H.E. Counselor Mohamed Abdel Salam expressed the Council’s appreciation for the efforts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence, and in preserving Islamic heritage—particularly in cities of historic importance to Islamic civilization such as Bukhara and Samarkand, which are home to a rich intellectual and spiritual legacy left by leading scholars of the ummah, foremost among them Imam Al-Bukhari.

For her part, H.E. Gayane Umerova 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 and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, in promoting enlightened, centrist Islamic thought in East and Central Asia, as an influential civilizational and spiritual hub in the Muslim world. She affirmed her country’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Council in initiatives that serve young people and entrench shared human values.

The two sides discussed a number of initiatives of common interest, foremost among them cooperation in developing an educational programme for children and adolescents to instill in them the values of respect, moderation, and balance, as well as cooperation in organizing the next edition of the Youth Peacemakers Forum—one of the key initiatives of the Muslim Council of Elders aimed at preparing a generation of young people capable of spreading a culture of dialogue and respect for others.

They also touched on several projects designed to revive the legacy of Muslim scholars and highlight their contributions, in a way that strengthens the connection of new generations with this intellectual and ethical heritage and helps consolidate a shared civilizational identity.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Abdulaziz Okulov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Arab Emirates.