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The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair hosted a seminar titled “Countering Islamophobia in Europe: An Analytical Perspective,” presented by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Hokama Center for Peace Research.

During the seminar, Dr. Boudinar provided an analytical review of the book ‘Countering Islamophobia in Europe’, a translated publications by Al Hokama Publishing. He emphasized that Islamophobia involves deliberate and intentional fearmongering against Islam, relying on distorted fragments and employing fabricated hate speech based on promoting falsehoods, which restricts Muslims’ ability to express their true identity.

The Director of the Hokama Center for Peace Research added that several strategies can be adopted to counter this phenomenon, including legal action, precise knowledge, and continuous monitoring of incidents at places of worship and elsewhere, as well as tracking biased media narratives and addressing them by debunking perceptions of an “Islamic threat” within their proper context.

Dr. Boudinar called for a clear action plan by religious and relevant institutions to present the true image of Islam and its lofty human values, which emphasize dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. He affirmed that the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, is making concerted efforts to combat this dangerous phenomenon, reduce its spread, and promote values of full citizenship and positive integration for Muslims in their societies.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating for the fourth consecutive year at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair, held from August 9 to 17, 2025, as part of its efforts to foster a culture of dialogue and reinforce values of coexistence and peace worldwide.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, has received a delegation of ministers of religious affairs, muftis, heads of supreme Islamic councils, and representatives of Islamic institutions from 30 countries participating in the conference titled “Developing the Prudent Mufti in the Era of Artificial Intelligence,” organized by the Egyptian Fatwa Authority. The meeting was attended by His Eminence Dr. Nazir Ayad, Grand Mufti of Egypt, and His Eminence Dr. Mohammed Al-Duwaini, Deputy of Al-Azhar.

During the meeting, His Eminence prayed that Almighty Allah guide scholars in addressing this significant topic and contributing to the use of artificial intelligence applications to serve muftis and facilitate their work. He stressed the need for an ethical charter to regulate these technologies, ensuring the preservation of human dignity and privacy.

His Eminence underscored the necessity of countering systematic campaigns aimed at distorting the image of Islam and falsely associating it with violence, which have fueled rising waves of Islamophobia and hatred toward Muslims due to widespread ignorance of Islam’s tolerant teachings and its message of peace. He noted that many Western scholars who have studied Islam objectively have highlighted its true essence in their works. This places a heightened responsibility on Islamic institutions in the West to refute false narratives about this noble religion. He also affirmed that Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders are ready to provide all forms of support to Islamic centers in the West, guided by their global mission and commitment to Muslim unity.

His Eminence further emphasized that religious and educational institutions in the Arab and Islamic worlds bear a religious and moral duty to raise awareness about the Palestinian cause and the history of Jerusalem, particularly in light of the ongoing brutal aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for nearly two years. He deplored the lack of knowledge among many in the Islamic world about basic historical facts related to Palestine, calling for the development of an educational strategy across Islamic countries to enhance awareness among youth about their history, especially Palestine, and to reinforce pride in their Arab and Islamic identity. He also stressed the need to counter attempts to falsify history promoted by others, affirming Al-Azhar’s full readiness to collaborate with all nations to develop this strategy and serve the Ummah’s awareness, thought, and causes.

For their part, the delegation of ministers of religious affairs, muftis, and heads of Islamic councils conveyed their deep appreciation for the Grand Imam’s significant efforts in defending Islamic causes and Muslims worldwide, promoting Islamic unity, and combating extremist ideologies. They also affirmed that Al-Azhar is the conscience of the Ummah and a refuge for Muslims of all denominations, with its positions consistently receiving widespread acclaim and support due to the immense respect and trust it commands among Muslims globally.

The Muslim Council of Elders is co-organizing the G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, from August 10 to 14, 2025, under the theme “Ubuntu in Action: Focusing on Marginalized Communities.” The Forum unites a coalition of global voices dedicated to shaping inclusive and ethical policies, bringing together religious leaders, civil society organizations, government officials, multilateral institutions, and scholars to explore collaborative solutions to urgent global challenges.

In its address during the Forum’s opening session, the Muslim Council of Elders underscored the vital role religious leaders can play in addressing today’s global challenges, including conflicts, wars, and disputes. It advocated for a nuanced, multi-level understanding of relationship dynamics, encompassing both violence and peace.

His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, in a speech delivered by Adama Dieng, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and advisor to the Council, emphasized that the time has come to demand justice for our planet, particularly in light of the suffering endured by the Palestinian people and the proliferation of wars and conflicts that have left tens of thousands dead, wounded, or displaced. This crisis, he noted, represents a profound test of our shared humanity.

He further highlighted that the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, is spearheading concerted efforts to promote peace, social cohesion, and ethical leadership. These initiatives are grounded in a value-driven and practical approach, emphasizing the role of faith in tackling pressing global challenges, fostering interfaith dialogue, empowering youth, and promoting values of tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity.

Judge Abdelsalam also pointed to the Council’s efforts to strengthen its presence and impact across Africa through innovative initiatives focused on peacebuilding, empowering local religious actors, and expanding partnerships with regional institutions. These efforts align with the G20 Interfaith Forum’s (IF20) focus on addressing the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities. The Council also expressed its support for the G20 Interfaith Forum’s call to “leave no one behind,” particularly in areas such as food security, migration, and the economic and spiritual dimensions of justice. It urged religious leaders to issue a collective call for a return to values of justice and peace and to work toward halting all wars and conflicts for a brighter future for humanity.