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His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has received His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania, to discuss strengthening mutual cooperation.

His Eminence stated that the world today is in dire need of seeking paths that unite peoples and bring them closer together, particularly at this challenging time when major global policies are fueling hatred and polarization between East and West. He emphasized that the issue is not a conflict between faiths, noting in this regard Al-Azhar’s openness—and that of the Muslim Council of Elders—to engagement with various Eastern and Western churches, including the Vatican, the Church of England, and the World Council of Churches. Rather, he explained, the real challenge lies in finding a path where major global policies align with the ethics and teachings of religion. He remarked: “When religion is not exploited to serve political or colonial agendas, religions come together in harmony, and genuine coexistence among their followers becomes possible.”

His Eminence further affirmed that the world places great hope in wise and concious leaders and decision-makers worldwide to confront the humanitarian tragedies afflicting the world today—challenges that require collective efforts to address them effectively.

For his part, His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania expressed his deep appreciation for His Eminence’s efforts to promote global peace and spread the culture of fraternity and coexistence. He noted that the separation of politics from the moral guidance and teachings of religion, along with a failure to properly understand the true purpose of religion and a decline in moral ideals within Western societies, has been a major factor behind the conflicts the world is witnessing today.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Royal Highness Prince Radu presented His Eminence the Grand Imam with a copy of the translation of the Holy Qur’an into the Romanian language, as an expression of his nation’s appreciation for the true teachings of Islam.

Under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders affirmed that health is a fundamental human right and a core pillar for achieving sustainable development and building safe and stable societies.

In a statement marking World Health Day, observed annually on 7 April, the Council stressed the imperative of strengthening health systems, ensuring equitable access to medical services, and providing comprehensive healthcare without discrimination. It also emphasized that achieving these goals is a shared responsibility that requires concerted international efforts and the entrenchment of solidarity and cooperation among states and institutions.

The statement highlighted that health encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, underscoring its vital role in upholding human dignity and safeguarding humanity. The Council called for the adoption of comprehensive policies and initiatives that raise health awareness, enhance prevention, and address global health challenges—particularly in the most vulnerable and underserved communities.

The Muslim Council of Elders commended the dedicated efforts of healthcare workers worldwide, especially those serving in areas affected by wars and conflicts, describing them as the first line of defense in confronting health emergencies. The Council affirmed that their noble humanitarian mission deserves the highest appreciation and sustained support.

The Council also called for strengthening social responsibility, promoting healthy behaviors, and building a fair and sustainable healthcare system that places people at the heart of its priorities and guarantees a dignified and secure life for all. It renewed its commitment to supporting initiatives that advance public health and promote the values of compassion and human solidarity, in pursuit of the well-being and peace of all humanity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that the International Day of Conscience represents an important opportunity to renew the call to elevate the voice of the human conscience, strengthen the values of compassion, solidarity, and social responsibility, and enhance collective awareness of the importance of working toward a world founded on peace, justice, and mutual respect.

In a statement, the Muslim Council of Elders noted that the observance of this international occasion—marked annually on April 5—reflects the world’s growing need to revive moral and humanitarian values in the face of the successive wars, conflicts, and crises it continues to endure. The Council emphasized that a living and vigilant conscience remains a vital safeguard that protects societies from sliding into hatred, division, and violence.

The Council further stated that an awakened human conscience constitutes the cornerstone of fostering understanding among peoples and of promoting a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. It reaffirmed that all divine religions have called for activating the conscience, safeguarding human dignity, rejecting injustice and aggression, and building bridges of fraternity and cooperation among humankind.

The Muslim Council of Elders renewed its call for coordinated international efforts to promote a culture of peace, strengthen dialogue among religions and cultures, and instill the values of human fraternity in the hearts of younger generations. Such efforts, the Council stressed, contribute to building a world that is more conscious of its shared humanity and better equipped to overcome the causes of hatred, conflict, and division. 

The Council also urged religious, educational, cultural, and media institutions to fulfill their essential role in nurturing the human conscience and instilling the values of compassion, respect, and responsibility, recognizing these principles as fundamental pillars for building cohesive societies capable of safeguarding human dignity and protecting every individual’s right to security, peace, and a dignified life.

The Muslim Council of Elders participated in the forum titled “The UAE: Cohesive Families in a Nation Deeply Rooted in History and Traditions,” organized by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates.

His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, affirmed that the forum embodies the UAE’s pioneering vision and the wisdom of its leadership in promoting societal stability, investing in human development, and consolidating national identity within a framework of shared human values. He noted that strengthening the role of the family and fostering its cohesion constitute the cornerstone of safeguarding societies and shaping a more stable and prosperous future.

The Muslim Council of Elders commended the pioneering efforts of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in reinforcing social cohesion and in entrenching the family as a fundamental pillar in nurturing aware, responsible generations.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar, affirms that discrimination in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a blatant violation of human values and moral principles. The Council emphasizes that cultural and ethnic diversity is a source of richness and strength for societies, rather than a cause of conflict or division.

In a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually on March 21, the Muslim Council of Elders stated that the teachings of the true Islamic faith call for equality, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence among people of all races, colors, and cultures. Almighty Allah says: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam, carried them on land and sea, provided them with good things, and favored them greatly over much of what We have created.” (Al‑Isra: 70)

The statement explained that racism continues to pose a serious challenge to societies, due to its negative repercussions on social peace and global stability. It stressed that confronting this phenomenon requires concerted international efforts, the promotion of a culture of dialogue and mutual respect, and the reinforcement of the values of citizenship, justice, and equality.

The Muslim Council of Elders is making significant efforts to curb racial discrimination and work toward its elimination through numerous targeted initiatives aimed at promoting equality, respect for and acceptance of others, and strengthening the values of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

The Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence  Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the late His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, calls for spreading the values of equality and justice and instilling the principles of tolerance and mutual respect. The document affirms that citizenship is based on equality in rights and duties, under which all people enjoy justice. It further stresses the need to abandon the exclusionary use of the term “minorities,” as it carries connotations of isolation and inferiority, sows the seeds of discord and division, undermines the religious and civil rights of some citizens, and leads to discriminatory practices against them.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its appreciation to mothers around the world on the occasion of Mother’s Day, commending their profound sacrifices and their pivotal role in shaping generations, instilling values, and building societies.

In a statement marking Mother’s Day, observed annually on 21 March, the Muslim Council of Elders affirmed that Islam has elevated the status of mothers and honored them with the highest regard, making dutifulness toward them among the greatest acts of devotion, linking kindness to them with the oneness of Almighty Allah, and enjoining exemplary treatment of them—reflecting their exalted standing and essential role in nurturing righteous individuals and building cohesive families.

The Council added that the mother is the first school that shapes human consciousness and instills in children the values of compassion, tolerance, and belonging, making her the cornerstone of societal stability and the promotion of a culture of coexistence and peace. It called for entrenching the culture of honoring parents, strengthening societal awareness of the mother’s status and rights, and working to enact legislation and launch initiatives that ensure mothers a dignified life, in recognition of their immense role.

The Muslim Council of Elders also expressed its deep appreciation for the sacrifices of mothers and their resilience in the face of challenges and crises, particularly in areas affected by conflict and disasters, where mothers bear compounded burdens to preserve family cohesion and protect its dignity. The Council emphasized that supporting, empowering, and protecting the rights of mothers is an urgent humanitarian and moral obligation.

On this occasion, the Muslim Council of Elders affirms that honoring mothers is not merely a seasonal observance, but a fundamental human duty and a daily practice that reflects societies’ awareness of the value of noble human giving. The Council prays to Almighty Allah to protect mothers and to make their continuous contributions beacons guiding future generations toward a more compassionate and stable future.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its sincere congratulations to His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, on the occasion marking sixteen years since his appointment as Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. This milestone crowns a distinguished journey of dedicated service through which he has firmly established Al-Azhar’s standing as a global beacon of moderation and balance, and as an authority for enlightened Islamic thought.

The Council commends the sincere and tireless efforts of His Eminence in renewing religious discourse, strengthening the values of dialogue and coexistence, and confronting extremist ideologies, in addition to his pioneering role in spreading peace and advancing the principles of human fraternity at both the regional and international levels—thereby reflecting the true image of Islam as a religion that calls for mercy and tolerance.

The Muslim Council of Elders—honored to be chaired by His Eminence—affirms that this occasion represents an important moment to reflect upon the exceptional journey of a global religious leader who has borne the responsibility of promoting the values of wisdom and moderation, defending the causes of the Ummah, and serving all humanity. The Council prays to Almighty Allah to grant His Eminence enduring health and continued strength, to bless his noble efforts, and to preserve him as a source of pride and support for Islam and Muslims everywhere.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar, affirms its unequivocal rejection of all forms of extremism, hatred, discrimination, and incitement to violence against Muslims, warning of the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and the serious threat it poses to coexistence, social peace, and global stability.

In a statement issued on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed annually on March 15, the Council called for the launch of a comprehensive global campaign to confront extremist, hateful, and religiously discriminatory rhetoric. It urged the adoption of clear legislation and policies to combat hate and religious discrimination, the promotion of mutual respect and cultural and religious pluralism, and efforts to raise awareness of the true image of Islam as a religion of mercy, justice, and peace—one that upholds human dignity and affirms every person’s right to live in peace and security.

The statement added that Islamophobia is not merely the result of isolated individual attitudes or extremist discourse, but rather a dangerous phenomenon fueled by ignorance and distorted stereotypes, and exploited by far‑right groups to serve narrow political and partisan interests. Such practices contribute to the spread of division and hatred. Confronting this, the Council stressed, requires the concerted efforts of governments, religious institutions, educational bodies, and media organizations to enhance mutual respect and to strengthen citizenship, pluralism, and acceptance of others.

The Muslim Council of Elders continues to exert tireless efforts to highlight the tolerance of the true Islamic faith and to promote enlightened, moderate thought in the face of all forms of fanaticism, extremism, racism, hatred, and discrimination. These efforts are carried out through a range of impactful initiatives and projects, including East–West Dialogue Tours, International Peace Convoys, the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, Student Dialogue Programs for Human Fraternity, and Ramadan missions to various parts of the world.

The Document on Human Fraternity, which was co-signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb and the late Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, affirms that freedom is a right for every human being—in belief, thought, expression, and practice—and that pluralism and diversity in religion, color, gender, race, and language are manifestations of divine wisdom by which God created humanity. The document establishes these principles as a foundation for the rights to freedom of belief and freedom of difference, and for the rejection of coercing individuals into a particular religion or culture, or imposing a civilizational model that others do not accept.