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Italian President: We Value the Efforts of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders in Promoting Peace and Strengthening Interfaith Dialogue

Italian President to Participants at the “Daring Peace” Conference in Rome: I Remind You of the Grand Imam’s Words on the Need to Raise the Banner of Peace Instead of Victory, and the Courage Required to Achieve True Peace

Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed deep appreciation for His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and his outstanding role in promoting a culture of peace, reinforcing human fraternity, and entrenching values of positive coexistence and acceptance of others during his address at the opening session of the “Daring Peace” international meeting organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome.

In his remarks, the Italian President quoted several statements by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar on peace, saying: “I wish to recall the words of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, who emphasized the need to promote human fraternity and entrench interfaith dialogue. He stressed that we must all raise the banner of peace among all people, rather than the banner of victory; that we must give precedence to the voice of reason and wisdom; that we must come together at the table of dialogue; and that we must show the courage to achieve genuine peace.”

The Italian President underscored the importance of heeding the voices of religious leaders and figures of wisdom, such as His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He also commended the historic Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed by His Eminence with the late Pope Francis, and affirmed that the force of domination and control must be countered with the quiet strength and spiritual authority of religious institutions. He further emphasized the need to amplify this voice to secure peace and foster a future free from conflict and war for generations to come.

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders Calls for Establishing a Committee of African Figures and Prominent Religious Leaders to Ease Crises and Conflicts in the Sahel and Horn of Africa

Former President of Niger Committed to Cooperating with Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders to Promote Human Fraternity in Africa

Former President of Niger Praises the Grand Imam’s Efforts in Entrenching Dialogue and Peace

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, affirmed that the world is currently passing through a phase of turmoil and the erosion of standards, becoming more violent and distanced from the human values that form the essence of religions. He noted that Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders remain steadfast in fulfilling their mission to spread peace and coexistence among peoples, despite the escalating conflicts facing the world.

During a meeting with Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of Niger and member of the Muslim Council of Elders, the Grand Imam stated that hope for achieving peace and human coexistence remains alive, even amid the chaos and dominance of materialistic civilization. He pointed to a faint light at the end of a dark tunnel that occasionally emerges to renew hope in the ability to halt wars and conflicts—particularly following the recognition of the Palestinian state by several countries and the Sharm El Sheikh peace agreement to end the aggression against innocent civilians in Gaza.

Regarding Africa, His Eminence proposed the formation of a committee composed of prominent African figures and religious leaders who are well-known for their wisdom, integrity, and commitment to dialogue. The committee’s mission would be to alleviate crises and conflicts in the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions. He also affirmed the readiness of Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders to fully support the committee’s work and initiatives, serving the future of the “Golden Continent,” enhancing the utilization of its resources, and reinforcing unity and shared solidarity.

For his part, the former President of Niger expressed his appreciation for His Eminence’s global efforts in promoting peace and human fraternity, as well as presenting the true image of Islam. He commended the endeavors of Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders in advancing dialogue and peace, emphasizing that this role has become increasingly vital amid the wars and crises afflicting the world—particularly in Gaza, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa. He also noted that the world is currently experiencing a genuine crisis of values.

The former President of Niger welcomed the Grand Imam’s proposal to establish a committee of African elders to defuse conflicts and tensions that some seek to ignite among neighboring African nations. He stressed that peace is the fundamental pillar of stability and development, and that eradicating poverty and disease in Africa will only be achieved by entrenching peace. He urged His Eminence to intensify visits to African nations to deliver a message of peace to its peoples and support nations facing instability.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders is set to travel to Rome on an official visit to participate in the international meeting “Daring Peace” which will be organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio from October 26 to 28, 2025. The event will bring together prominent leaders and decision-makers, including *His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Pontiff of the Catholic Church; Italian President Sergio Mattarella; Queen Mathilde of Belgium; and various groups of religious leaders, thinkers, and intellectuals from around the world.

His Eminence is scheduled to deliver a keynote address during the meeting’s opening session, in which he will underscore the critical importance of achieving *peace rooted in justice and the ethical and human responsibility of religious leaders to actively work toward ending conflicts, wars, and disputes.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Pontiff of the Catholic Church as well as other leading religious figures, faith leaders, and thinkers in attendance. Discussions will also address the most pressing contemporary religious and international issues, amplifying the voice of religions to halt the crises, wars, and conflicts currently afflicting the world—most notably the aggression against Gaza and the West Bank—while reaffirming the essential role of the Sharm El Sheikh peace agreement as a foundational step toward establishing lasting security and stability in the region and beyond.

Muslim Council of Elders Calls for Comprehensive Ethical Governance of AI to Balance Innovation and Human Protection

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam: Artificial Intelligence Is an Ethical and Human Issue Touching the Core of Human Existence and Dignity

The Muslim Council of Elders participated in the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16), held in Geneva from October 20 to 23, 2025, under the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.” The conference saw extensive participation from experts, officials, and representatives of international organizations worldwide.

In his address during the session titled “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is not merely a scientific or economic matter but a profoundly ethical and human issue that touches the essence of human existence and dignity. He underscored the necessity for technology to serve humanity without compromising its well-being.

Judge Abdelsalam noted that managing the digital transformation demands genuine collaboration among scientists, philosophers, religious leaders, and policymakers to ensure technology maximizes human good rather than perpetuating inequality and dominance among nations. He outlined three key strategies for developing nations to capitalize on AI opportunities: investing in human capital, fostering a fair and inclusive innovation ecosystem, and establishing balanced international partnerships rooted in knowledge and expertise exchange to promote shared development within a framework of mutual human responsibility. Judge Abdelsalam also commended the United Arab Emirates for its support to developing countries through infrastructure development and training young talent to keep pace with rapid advancements in AI, thereby contributing to global sustainable development.

The Muslim Council of Elders called for the adoption of comprehensive ethical governance for AI that balances innovation with human protection through principles of responsible innovation, digital justice, transparency, and accountability. Judge Abdelsalam stated, “No matter how advanced technology becomes, it lacks a conscience and does not comprehend compassion.” He clarified that “AI is not the end of humanity’s journey but a new phase in its quest to explore its potential and capabilities,” adding that “intelligence alone is insufficient to build a better world unless guided by wisdom and humanity.”

Judge Abdelsalam highlighted the Muslim Council of Elders’ initiative, “A Joint Document on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence,” developed in collaboration with Al-Azhar and the Holy See reflects the ethical and spiritual responsibility to address major technological challenges, ensuring humanity remains at the core of the digital transformation while embedding principles of dignity, justice, and responsibility in modern technology development.

He concluded by asserting that “progress without ethics is gain without purpose.” He noted that religious leaders, led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, have consistently affirmed that ethical balance is not an obstacle to development but a fundamental pillar. He also added, “When innovation is guided by the spirit of human fraternity and ethical wisdom, AI will not only advance our economies but also elevate human dignity.”

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has received a youth delegation from the World Council of Churches. During the meeting, His Eminence emphasized that religions carry a message of love and peace, never serving as a pretext for wars or conflicts while expressing his hope that young people will lead in promoting a culture of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

His Eminence highlighted that Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders are deeply committed to fostering global peace through numerous international initiatives, such as the East-West Dialogue which has been pursued in collaboration with various Western religious institutions, including the Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches, the Church of England, and other global religious organizations. These efforts culminated in the signing of the historic Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

The Grand Imam also noted that a key challenge of contemporary civilization is its materialistic nature, which often lacks the ethical values necessary to guide human life. He affirmed that religious institutions worldwide play a crucial role in fostering a culture of peace and promoting values of dialogue, tolerance, and shared coexistence.

For their part, members of the World Council of Churches youth delegation expressed their appreciation for the Grand Imam’s significant efforts in advancing peace and reinforcing values of moderation and balance globally, contributing to a brighter future for humanity.