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In 2023, the Muslim Council of Elders embarked on pioneering historical initiatives aimed at promoting values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and fostering Islamic-Islamic dialogue. These groundbreaking efforts were prompted by the call of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to conduct a serious Islamic-Islamic dialogue. The purpose of this dialogue is to enhance unity, promote convergence, cultivate mutual understanding, strengthen religious and human fraternity, and reject the root causes of division and discord, particularly those related to sectarian conflicts, with a distinct emphasis on highlighting areas of agreement and convergence.

Within the context of His Eminence Dr. El-Tayeb’s invitation, a significant and purposeful visit was undertaken by a distinguished delegation from the General Secretariat of the Muslim Council of Elders to the Republic of Iraq, covering Najaf, Baghdad, and Erbil. The primary objective of this visit was to engage in a meaningful and impactful dialogue with all segments of the Iraqi people, building bridges of effective communication and establishing a new era of mutual understanding among all Islamic sects.

The Muslim Council of Elders attaches great importance to fostering Islamic-Islamic dialogue as a fundamental means of promoting unity and peace within Muslim societies. The visit to Iraq marks an initial stride in this direction, pledging to persist in this constructive approach to build confidence and cultivate mutual respect among adherents of various sects within the same community, ultimately realizing peace and overall harmony.

The visit of the delegation from the General Secretariat of the Muslim Council of Elders to Iraq included three significant stations, commencing in the city of Najaf with a meeting with a distinguished group of professors and religious scholars at Al-Khoei Institute. The delegation also met with the Representative of the Supreme Shia Authority, His Eminence Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, and his authorized deputy, Sheikh Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalai. The dialogue focused on addressing contemporary challenges facing the Arab and Islamic nation, ways to mend divisions, elevate the spirit of religious fraternity, and emphasize the importance of cooperation and understanding among the followers of the same faith.

The second stop of the visit was the capital, Baghdad, involving a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, His Excellency Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and various religious and community leaders in Baghdad. This included a meeting with the Head of the Sunni Endowment Office in the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Mishaan Al-Khazraji and Sheikh Dr. Hamed Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh Hamad, who is the head of the Scholars League Association in Iraq, and the Imam and Preacher of Al-Ma’rufiya Mosque. Additionally, there was a meeting with the Chief Scholar of the Iraqi Fiqh Council, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Hassan al-Taha. A visit was also made to the Abu Hanifa al-Nu’man Mosque. The discussions emphasized avenues for developing cooperation between the Muslim Council of Elders and Iraqi institutions, along with joint projects aimed at enhancing religious fraternity and human coexistence, both locally and globally.

In Erbil, the third stop of the visit, the delegation from the General Secretariat of the Muslim Council of Elders engaged with His Excellency Pshtiwan Sadq Abdullah, Minister of Endowment and Religious Affairs in the Kurdistan Region. The meeting, attended by the Head of the Iraqi Sunni Endowment Office and the Head of the Union of Scholars of the Kurdistan Region, aimed to explore avenues for enhancing coexistence, tolerance, and peace. It also focused on the role of religions in disseminating and solidifying the values of dialogue and effective communication among various sects and doctrines.

This visit received significant attention and a warm welcome from all segments of the Iraqi people, who are eagerly anticipating the upcoming historic visit of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to Iraq. The visit holds paramount importance in supporting the issues of the Islamic nation, particularly in promoting unity, solidarity, and cohesion. Although preparations for this visit began a long time ago, the plans were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The official and popular authorities in Iraq have renewed the invitation to Sheikh Al-Azhar to proceed with the visit.
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About The Muslim Council of Elders:
The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international organization founded in Abu Dhabi on Ramadan 21, 1435 Hijri (July 19, 2014). Its central aim is to promote peace in both Muslim and non-Muslim societies and to disseminate and strengthen the values of tolerance, dialogue, and mutual coexistence. Led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Council’s membership includes a distinguished assembly of scholars, experts, and leaders renowned for their wisdom, justice, independence, and moderation.

In 2023, the Muslim Council of Elders continued to devote significant attention to the issues of the Arab and Muslim worlds. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting endeavors that strengthen the involvement of religious leaders in addressing global challenges. Guided by its comprehensive vision of promoting a culture of peace, tolerance, human values, and principles of human coexistence, the Council focused on combating extremism and terrorism, advocating for cultural and religious dialogue as a foundation for development and prosperity.

The Palestinian cause was a primary concern for the Council in 2023, especially given the aggression in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian territories. This aggression resulted in thousands of civilian casualties, with the majority being women and children, and led to the displacement of tens of thousands who lost their homes and shelters. The Council condemned these violations of international laws and human rights, reiterating calls to the international community for a ceasefire in Gaza, relief for innocent Palestinian civilians by delivering humanitarian assistance, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Regarding the Sudanese crisis, the Council urged an end to the conflict, the achievement of unity and peace, cessation of internal strife, preservation of security and stability, and the promotion of reconciliation and solidarity among the Sudanese people. It prayed to the Almighty God to guide the wise leaders toward ensuring peace and the sanctity of life.

The Council also condemned all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism worldwide, emphasizing its vision of promoting dialogue, coexistence, and rejecting violence, hatred, and terrorism.

In response to systematic campaigns aimed at burning the Noble Quran, the Council strongly condemned such provocative acts, considering them contrary to international norms and covenants that advocate respect and acceptance of others, as well as the non-offense to religious symbols and sanctities. The Council welcomed the decision by the Danish Parliament to prohibit the “improper treatment” of religious texts of significant importance, effectively banning the burning of the Quran. It deemed this decision as a significant step toward fostering tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect for religious sanctities and symbols. The Council urged countries experiencing similar attacks on freedoms and religious sanctities to enact comparable legislation to counter intolerance, hate speech, and Islamophobia.

Throughout the year, the Council also expressed solidarity with several natural disasters impacting Arab and Muslim countries. This included a devastating earthquake in Morocco, resulting in over 3,000 deaths and 26,000 injuries, as well as the collapse of numerous buildings. Additionally, the Council addressed the Turkish earthquake, which caused over 50,000 deaths and thousands more in Syria, a storm in Derna, Libya leading to over 20,000 deaths, thousands missing, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure, along with wildfires in Algeria affecting several cities.

Motivated by these climate and environmental crises, the Council intensified its efforts in climate action, launching initiatives and activities to engage religious leaders in addressing climate challenges. It conveyed a message to global leaders and decision-makers, stressing the urgent need for radical measures against the accelerating and severe impacts of climate change. This included hosting the Global Faith Summit on Climate Action and signing the ‘The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28’. Additionally, the Council organized the first-ever Faith Pavilion in the history of the Conference of the Parties at COP28.

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About The Muslim Council of Elders:

The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international organization founded in Abu Dhabi on Ramadan 21, 1435 Hijri (July 19, 2014). Its central aim is to promote peace in both Muslim and non-Muslim societies and to disseminate and strengthen the values of tolerance, dialogue, and mutual coexistence. Led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Council’s membership includes a distinguished assembly of scholars, experts, and leaders renowned for their wisdom, justice, independence, and moderation.

The Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), presided over by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, warmly welcomes the recent decision of the United Nations Security Council. This resolution urgently advocates for immediate actions to facilitate the comprehensive and secure delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, guaranteeing unimpeded access without obstacles. The Council underscores the crucial significance of creating the necessary conditions for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire.

In conveying the Council’s support for this resolution, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the MCE, expresses the hope that it will substantially contribute to alleviating the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza. He underscores the urgent need for decisive measures to halt the Israeli aggression, which has tragically claimed the lives of thousands of innocents, mainly women and children, and caused considerable damage to the besieged infrastructure of Gaza.

In this context, the Muslim Council of Elders acknowledges and commends the pivotal role played by the United Arab Emirates in proposing this resolution. The Council calls upon the international community to safeguard the rights of the Palestinian people, ensuring their legitimate and rightful pursuit of establishing an independent state, with its capital situated in the revered city of Jerusalem.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, extends his sincere congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah for assuming the leadership of the sisterly State of Kuwait and his inauguration as the Emir of Kuwait.

The Grand Imam expresses sincere prayers for the success of His Highness Sheikh Meshal in leading Kuwait, hoping for the continuation of a journey marked by generosity, the fulfillment of the aspirations of its people, the prosperity of the country, and support for the causes of the Arab and Islamic nations.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has called for strengthening human solidarity, particularly in the face of wars, conflicts, escalating humanitarian crises, rising poverty rates, and the increasing numbers of refugees and displaced individuals who have lost their homes and shelters in today’s world.

In a statement released on the occasion of the International Human Solidarity Day, observed annually on December 20, the Council stressed the shared responsibility of the global community towards the vulnerable Palestinian population. It highlighted the plight of civilians facing violations that have displaced hundreds of thousands, leading to numerous casualties and martyrs, predominantly among women and children. The Council further emphasized the imperative for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The statement clarified that human solidarity transcends the responsibility solely assigned to governments and nations; it is a collective duty that everyone should shoulder. It affirmed that collective action and mutual cooperation can achieve tangible progress in various fields, ranging from eradicating poverty to environmental protection, improving human life, and eliminating inequality and discrimination based on gender, religion, and race. This necessitates genuine and comprehensive commitment, along with human solidarity, to uplift the quality of human life and foster stability in societies globally.

The Council renews its call for the adoption of collaboration, solidarity, and compassion to confront the current challenges facing humanity. It pointed out that the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019, urged the world to establish justice based on mercy as the path to achieving a dignified life for every human being. The Document emphasizes that dialogue, understanding, the dissemination of the culture of tolerance, acceptance of others, and coexistence among people can contribute to addressing many social, political, economic, and environmental problems that afflict a significant portion of humanity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has called on the Islamic and Arab worlds to preserve and wholeheartedly embrace the Arabic language as an inseparable component of the Islamic and Arab identities. Stressing the profound significance accorded to Arabic by Allah, the Almighty, the Council has highlighted its role as the eloquent medium for the Holy Quran and the tongue through which divine rules and jurisprudence are conveyed.

In a statement issued on the occasion of World Arabic Language Day on December 18, coinciding with the significant milestone of its declaration as an official language by the United Nations fifty years ago, the Council has emphasized the enduring allure and inherent brilliance ingrained in the Arabic language’s lexical eloquence and syntactic richness, describing it as possessing unparalleled depth in meanings and opulence in vocabulary. Furthermore, the Council has highlighted the Arabic language’s pivotal role in shaping knowledge, fostering societal transformations, and advancing science and civilization. It has also underscored that it stands as a timeless witness to the rich tapestry of Islamic history, adorned with indelible achievements in diverse sectors such as science, arts, literature, poetry, and beyond.

Recognizing the vital role and importance of the Arabic language in shaping cultures and building bridges that foster communication among humanity, the Council is committed to consolidating the Arabic language’s esteemed status through various initiatives and activities. A standout among these initiatives is Dar Al Hokama Publishing, dedicated to releasing distinguished publications that advocate a culture of moderation and correct misconceptions. The publishing house also strives to conduct translations to and from the Arabic language, thereby facilitating the exchange of a broad range of positive experiences and global knowledge.

The Muslim Council of Elders concluded its participation at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair with notable success. Visitors at the exhibition showed keen interest in the latest releases from the council and actively participated in the activities organized by the booth from December 9 to 17.

The Council’s booth, comprising more than 190 diverse publications in thought, culture, and Islamic heritage, witnessed significant engagement from various segments of society, exhibition visitors, and participants from around the world. Additionally, prominent researchers in various fields expressed interest in reviewing the council’s publications addressing various important issues. The Council’s booth also organized several activities for children.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, affirmed that the Council has a clear vision for participating in numerous intellectual and cultural events worldwide. The objective is to spread enlightened moderate thought and rectify misconceptions. He also highlighted that the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair serves as a bridge for intellectual and cultural communication between Arab culture and various global cultures.

Over the course of nine days, the Council’s booth organized various cultural and intellectual events, including a seminar titled “The Role of the Muslim Council of Elders in Disseminating Heritage and Islamic Thought Books,” presented by Dr. Abdelrahman Madkur, a researcher at the Islamic Heritage Revival Office at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. The seminar discussed the role of the Muslim Council of Elders and its efforts in promoting peace and spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence while rejecting extremism and hate speech.

Furthermore, the Council’s booth organized a seminar titled “The Human Fraternity Journey: Grand Imam and Pope Francis as Models.” Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research. The seminar focused on the Document on Human Fraternity, emphasizing its importance in the present time, especially in light of the wars and conflicts worldwide, requiring the dissemination of values of peace and common coexistence.

This is the second time the Muslim Council of Elders has participated at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair in its eighth edition, which reflects the Council’s goals of promoting peace, establishing values of dialogue and tolerance, and building bridges of cooperation among diverse people and beliefs.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, visited the eighth edition of the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair and explored its prominent activities and various participating entities, emphasizing that global cultural exhibitions serve as vital platforms for the exchange of ideas and cultures among people. This represents a significant opportunity to introduce Arab and Islamic culture and underscore shared human values.

During his tour of the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair 2023, the Secretary-General praised the organization of this prominent cultural event and its effective role in enhancing cultural exchange as a bridge of communication between diverse Arab cultures and their global counterparts. He commended the diversity of topics and presented publications, reflecting the creativity and cultural richness of the Arab region.

Judge Abdelsalam also visited the booth of Dar Al Hokama Publishing at the exhibition, which showcases over 190 diverse publications aimed at disseminating and promoting the values of peace in Muslim and non-Muslim communities. He affirmed that the Council is well aware of the importance of thought and culture in defining and ingraining human values in the minds of youth. He explained that “Dar Al Hokama Publishing” contributes, through its leading publications, to reinforcing the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence among all people, despite their differences and diversity.

For the second consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders is participatiny in the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, aligning with its mission to promote a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence. The fair stands as one of the essential gatherings for Arab publishers and creators of literary and cultural content in the region. It also serves as a significant event for Arab communities in Europe, considering Istanbul as a bridge of dialogue between the East and the West.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ booth at the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair hosted a seminar titled “The Human Fraternity Journey: Grand Imam and Pope Francis as Models.” Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, presented the seminar at Booth No. 38, Hall 9, at the exhibition grounds in Istanbul.

During the seminar, Dr. Boudinar emphasized the urgent need for the world to establish and enhance the values of human fraternity, particularly amidst wars and conflicts that require the dissemination of peace values, mutual coexistence, and the fight against all forms of violence, terrorism, bigotry, hatred, and discrimination.

Boudinar affirmed that Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Pope Francis provide an inspirational model for the relationship between leaders and symbols of religions. He highlighted the fraternal relationship and friendship between these significant religious figures, culminating in the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which embodies humane values to promote and strengthen the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human fraternity.

The Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research explained that the book “The Pope and the Grand Imam: A Thorny Path” provides a detailed account of the journey of the Document on Human Fraternity, the most important document in modern human history. It alsl sheds light on the path of human fraternity by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis to guide humanity towards a better future.

For the second consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders is participatiny in the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, aligning with its mission to promote a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence. The fair stands as one of the essential gatherings for Arab publishers and creators of literary and cultural content in the region. It also serves as a significant event for Arab communities in Europe, considering Istanbul as a bridge of dialogue between the East and the West.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its deepest condolences for the passing of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, who passed away this morning at the age of 86.

The Council expresses sincere condolences to the leadership, government, and people of Kuwait, as well as the Arab and Islamic worlds, for the loss of the departed leader. They pray that Almighty Allah shower him with His mercy and grant him a place in the spacious gardens of paradise. “To Allah, we belong, and to Him, we shall return.”