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The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that caring for orphans is among the most virtuous acts that bring a person closer to Allah, and it is a societal and ethical responsibility that strengthens social bonds and community cohesion. The Council emphasized the necessity of providing for their material needs and offering psychological, social, and educational care to enable them to become constructive members in their countries and societies.

On the occasion of Arab Orphan Day, which falls on the first Friday of April each year, the Council stated that the noble Islamic faith encourages Muslims to be guardians of orphans, to treat them well, honor them, and look after their welfare and interests, considering these actions among the best deeds that earn Muslims rewards and blessings from Allah Almighty. Allah says: “Give orphans their wealth ˹when they reach maturity˺, and do not exchange your worthless possessions for their valuables, nor cheat them by mixing their wealth with your own. For this would indeed be a great sin.” [The Quran, 4:2]. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “I and the guardian of the orphan will be in the Garden like that,” indicating his forefinger and middle finger, slightly separating them (Sahih al-Bukhari).

The Muslim Council of Elders calls for the necessity of providing support and care for those who have lost their parents due to the wars and conflicts our world is witnessing today, which have claimed thousands of innocent civilian lives and left tens of thousands of children without families, homes, and shelter. These children are now in dire need of attention, care, and social and psychological rehabilitation, and it is crucial to extend a helping hand to them.

Muslim Council of Elders and South African Council of Churches delegation affirm the crucial role of religions in promoting global peace

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, welcomed a South African Council of Churches delegation at the Council’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The delegation included Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, former General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, President of the South African Council of Churches, and Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of the organization Churches for Middle East Peace. The two sides discussed ways to enhance the role of faith leaders and figures in promoting global peace.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders welcomed the South African Council of Churches delegation, emphasizing the crucial role that faith leaders and figures can play in fostering global peace and spreading values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. He pointed out that the challenges our world faces today require a united effort to promote the values of goodness, justice, love, and human fraternity. He highlighted the importance of preparing generations of leaders to carry the flag of tolerance, coexistence, and peace, praising South Africa’s efforts and all efforts that advocate for the protection of innocent civilians in Gaza.

The South African Council of Churches delegation expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and its diverse initiatives aimed at enhancing global peace. They expressed their eagerness to collaborate with the Council and other influential institutions worldwide to enhance the role of religious leaders in addressing the wars and conflicts that have claimed thousands of innocent lives.

Both parties called for the necessity of working towards a fair and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue and achieving peace in the Middle East. They emphasized that religious leaders should have a significant voice in stopping wars, conflicts, and disputes. They also praised the Egyptian initiative and the Arab and international efforts calling for a ceasefire and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, allowing humanitarian and relief aid to enter for innocent civilians. They expressed their appreciation for the humanitarian efforts of the United Arab Emirates in various conflict-ridden countries and its continuous pursuit to spread the values of tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Arab and Muslim nations—kings, princes, presidents, and peoples—on the blessed occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. The Council prays to Almighty Allah to return this joyous occasion to the Arab and Muslim nations, and to all of humanity, with goodness, blessings, compassion, coexistence, and peace.

On this occasion, the Council calls upon all members of the Muslim Ummah to hold fast to the values of Islamic fraternity, to strive for unity and solidarity, and to avoid division and discord. It urges a collective commitment to righteousness and shared purpose so that the Ummah may reclaim its rightful place and leadership among the nations—particularly in light of the many challenges facing our world today.

The Council also emphasizes that Eid Al-Fitr is a time to bring joy and comfort to the hearts of the poor, the needy, the underprivileged, and the marginalized, by extending support, fulfilling their needs, and easing their burdens during these blessed days.

The Council expresses its sincere hope that peace and prosperity will prevail across the Arab and Muslim worlds—and throughout all of humanity. May this blessed occasion return with the end of all crises, wars, and conflicts, and may our world become a place of greater safety, peace, and stability for all.

The Muslim Council of Elders hosted a communal Iftar and an Islamic calligraphy exhibition in Kazakhstan, attended by numerous officials, diplomats, representatives of religious institutions, and civil society organizations. The event aimed to promote dialogue, tolerance, and mutual coexistence.

The Iftar ceremony took place at the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, featuring a special exhibition and academic discussion on Islamic calligraphy in Central Asia. The event was organized in collaboration with the Council’s Central Asia branch and the Kazakh Senate. Dr. Bauyrzhan Omarov, Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan, delivered a congratulatory speech emphasizing the importance of preserving and studying Islamic calligraphy as an integral part of the region’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Professor Dr. Metin Akar presented a detailed report on the inscriptions adorning the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, focusing on their historical significance, artistic value, and current condition. 

The event also featured renowned Uzbek calligrapher Khabibullo Saliev showcasing rare Quranic manuscripts, including an Ottoman-era copy and a Kufic script of the Quran. His presentation highlighted the distinctive styles and diversity of early Islamic texts in Central Asia.

The event attracted prominent experts in Islamic art and manuscripts, scholars, Senate members, and representatives from intellectual and cultural circles. Participants expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in promoting the values of dialogue, coexistence, tolerance, and peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, expresses its solidarity with the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Myanmar following the powerful earthquake that struck both countries, resulting in the tragic loss of hundreds of lives and numerous injuries.

The Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the governments and peoples of both nations, as well as to the families of the victims. It prays to the Almighty to grant the injured a swift and full recovery.

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, along with the esteemed members of the Council and its Secretary-General, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, mourns with acceptance of Allah’s divine decree, the revered scholar, Professor Dr. Mohamed Hussein Al-Mahrasawy. Prof. Dr. Al-Mahrasawy served as the Former President of Al-Azhar University, Chairman of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, and Chairman of Al-Azhar International Academy for the Training of Imams, Preachers, and Muftis. He passed away today after a life marked by dedication, generosity, and commitment to serving his religion and his country and spreading the noble message and moderate enlightened thought of Al-Azhar.

The Council affirms that the late Prof. Dr. Al-Mahrasawy was a pioneer in dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, who carried the benevolent message of Islam to the world, leaving a profound impact on the efforts to build bridges of understanding and human fraternity. They pray to Almighty Allah to envelop him in His vast mercy, grant him paradise, and provide solace and patience to his family, students, and all his admirers.

The Muslim Council of Elders organized a communal iftar event for religious leaders and figures in Indonesia, attended by numerous officials, diplomats, religious institutions, and civil society organizations, aimed at enhancing dialogue, tolerance, and mutual coexistence.

The iftar, organized by the Southeast Asian branch of the Muslim Council of Elders for the third consecutive year, saw the attendance of many notable figures, including Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, Indonesia’s former Minister of Religious Affairs and member of the Muslim Council of Elders, Dr. Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Indonesia’s former Minister of Religious Affairs, and Mr. Kamaruddin Amin, Secretary General of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. Ambassadors from several countries were also present, notably His Excellency Abdullah Salem Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, and His Excellency Osama Hamdy, Deputy Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, along with ambassadors from the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Morocco, Singapore, Palestine, and representatives from the embassies of Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Kuwait, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, among others.

The event was also attended by several significant religious and community leaders from various Indonesian institutions such as Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia, as well as Hindu, Buddhist, and Confucian religious leaders in Indonesia, alongside envoys from the Muslim Council of Elders in Indonesia during the month of Ramadan including reciters and preachers.

In his opening speech, Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab emphasized the importance of revitalizing the role of religious leaders in guiding society towards peace, tolerance, and constructive interfaith dialogue, noting that the Muslim Council of Elders considers enhancing this role as one of its main priorities.

For their part, participants expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence, sustainable development, and positive interaction between cultures. They also praised the vital role played by the Council in creating an environment conducive to religious dialogue and enhancing understanding and coexistence among religions.

The Iftar event is part of the ongoing efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders to promote coexistence and civilizational dialogue among different peoples and cultures.

His Eminence Professor Dr. Muhammed Quraish Shihab, member of the Muslim Council of Elders and former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, affirmed that dialogue is a fundamental principle instituted by Islam for the welfare of humanity. Allah Almighty calls upon us to cooperate, and true cooperation can only be achieved through mutual understanding. As the Almighty says: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another” (The Quran, 49:13) One of the most important means of achieving this mutual understanding is through dialogue. Moreover, difference and diversity are part of the divine order, as Allah also states: “And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ — Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them.” (The Quran, 11:118–119 )

Speaking in the seventh episode of the Ramadan program “One Ummah”, which is broadcast across the Muslim Council of Elders’ social media platforms throughout the holy month, His Eminence explained that the diversity willed by Allah is a diversity of variety—not of contradiction. Therefore, dialogue is a key Islamic teaching; it is the effort to understand others and to explain our own perspective without imposing our views on anyone.

Dr. Quraish Shihab further emphasized that difference can be a source of mercy and a means of broadening the horizons of the Ummah. In fact, some differences among us may stem from a shared pursuit of truth—such as the differences that exist among scholars on various legal and jurisprudential matters. Accordingly, we must learn to benefit from our diversity and embrace it as a source of strength, not division or conflict.

Throughout the month of Ramadan, the Muslim Council of Elders is broadcasting five special programs across its social media platforms as part of its media strategy to promote and reinforce the values of dialogue, peace, tolerance, and coexistence. These programs are: “Al-Imam Al-Tayeb”, “One Ummah”, “Humanitarian Values with the Elders”, “The Month of Harmonious Coexistence”, and “Our Ethics”.

Envoys from the Muslim Council of Elders participated in a communal iftar event at the Islamic Cultural Center in the city of Lecco, Italy. The event was attended by the city’s mayor, Mauro Gattinoni, Municipal Council Member Emanuele Manzoni, Deputy Governor Paola Cavalcanti, and the vice president of the archbishop of Milan, Monsignor Bartolo Oberti, along with various local officials, religious figures, and representatives from civil society organizations.

This gathering underscored the commitment to fostering values of coexistence and tolerance, aiming to strengthen bonds of human fraternity and enhance interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The envoys from the Muslim Council of Elders highlighted that all religions and divine messages aim to bring happiness to humanity and promote values of justice, kindness, love, coexistence, and peace.

Participants warmly welcomed the envoys of the Muslim Council of Elders, praising the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in promoting and enhancing the values of dialogue, tolerance, citizenship, and peaceful coexistence. They affirmed that the Muslim Council of Elders has successfully used its various initiatives and enlightened thinking to enhance dialogue, respect for diversity, acceptance of others, and the importance of coexistence among followers of different religions and cultures.

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, strongly condemns the terrorist attack that targeted worshippers at a mosque in the village of Fambita, located in the district of Téra, southwest Niger, resulting in the death and injury of dozens of innocents.

The Council firmly rejects such terrorist acts that are contrary to the compassionate teachings of Islam and all divine laws and international treaties and conventions. It calls for the urgent need to enhance efforts to promote a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its deepest condolences to the government and people of Niger and the families of the victims, praying to Almighty God for a swift recovery for the injured.