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The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, welcomes the decisions issued by the International Court of Justice regarding the imposition of interim measures in the Gaza Strip as well as calls for temporary measures to protect civilians, halt any statements or practices, and punish direct and public incitement to commit genocide against the Palestinian people.

The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its satisfaction with the decisions of the International Court of Justice aimed at stopping the violations of Israeli occupation and providing protection for Palestinians.

The Council commends the efforts of South Africa and all initiatives calling for the protection of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip, ensuring the urgent delivery of humanitarian and relief aid, preventing further loss of life, avoiding escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories, and affirming the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ booth at the Cairo International Book Fair will host a seminar tomorrow, Thursday, at 3:30 PM Cairo time. The seminar, titled “In the Sanctuary of the Arabic Language… Why Should We Preserve It?” will be presented by Dr. Hassan El-Shafei, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders and the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar. This event reflects the council’s role in raising awareness about the importance of the Arabic language and its contribution to the advancement of sciences.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024 welcomed His Eminence Dr. Mohamed Al-Duwaini, the Deputy of Al-Azhar, accompanied by a high-level Azhari delegation. The delegation included Dr. Salama Dawood, President of Al-Azhar University, Dr. Nazir Ayad, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar, Dr. Abbas Shoman, the Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, Dr. Nahla Al Saidi, Advisor to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for International Student Affairs, Sheikh Ayman Abdel Ghani, Head of the Al-Azhar Institutes Sector, and Dr. Isma’il Al-Haddad, Secretary-General of the Higher Council of Al-Azhar.

The leadership of Al-Azhar commended the diverse publications presented by the Muslim Council of Elders which aim to promote and enhance peace, coexistence, and the redistribution of the treasures of Islamic heritage books. This contributes to spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, pluralism, and acceptance of others.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair will welcome the public starting from tomorrow, Thursday, offering more than 220 authors and publications, including 22 new books addressing various prominent issues.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair will feature a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, met with José Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste, to discuss ways to enhance mutual cooperation in promoting the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

During the meeting, the two sides explored mechanisms to broaden the utilization of the principles outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and President of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. This includes enhancing awareness and mutual understanding among different religions and sects, as well as emulating the model of Timor-Leste, which declared the Document on Human Fraternity as a national document and incorporated it into educational curricula.

The pair also affirmed that as the fifth anniversary of the signing of this pivotal document in modern human history approaches, the world now more than ever requires the practical application of the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity in the face of global challenges such as wars, conflicts, and humanitarian crises.

The Muslim Council of Elders will be participating in the 55th Cairo International Book Fair 2024, held from January 24 to February 6. The participation aligns with the Council’s mission to promote peace, foster values of dialogue and tolerance, and build bridges of cooperation among people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

This year, the Council’s pavilion will showcase over 220 authors and publications, including 22 new books addressing prominent intellectual issues. Notable releases include ” The West and Rediscovery of Islam: Approaches to Islam in Contemporary Western Thought” by Professor Tijani Boulaouali, ” Interfaith Encounters in Al-Andalus and Morocco: Exploring Muslim-Christian Interactions”, and ” Identarian Peace Management in the Muslim World: Concepts, Underpinnings, and Mechanisms” by a group of researchers.

Visitors to the pavilion will also find 11 works by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. These works highlight the nobility of Islam and the richness of its intellectual and philosophical heritage. Titles include “Components of Islam,” “In the Azhar Method,” “In Theological and Sufi Terminology,” “Insights into the Thought of Imam Ash’ari,” “Heritage and Renewal: Discussions and Responses,” “Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’a,” “Discussions on Illnesses and Purposes,” “Al Qawl Al Tayeb,” “Indeed, Religion is Easy,” “Etiquettes and Values,” and “From My Old Notebooks.”

The Council’s pavilion also features significant releases such as “Love in the Holy Quran” by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders, “The Pope and the Grand Imam: A Thorny Path” by Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, and ” Methods of Thinking in Creed” by Dr. Imad Khafaji.

Recognizing the importance of translation as a bridge between civilizations for constructive communication, the Council will also continue its efforts in translating purposeful books to enhance peace. Notable translations include “Religious Tolerance in the World Religions” by Jacob Neusner and Bruce Chilton and “Countering Islamophobia in Europe” by various researchers.

The Council’s pavilion will also host over 23 seminars and events where thinkers, experts, and religious leaders discuss various important intellectual and humanitarian issues. Notable discussions include “Knowledge Integration between Islamic Heritage Sciences,” “Orientalists and Sources of Islamic Legislation,” and “Women between Islamic Teachings and Inherited Traditions.” Additionally, the Council will organize seminars presented by the youth of the “Emerging Peacemakers Forum,” aiming to refine the skills of young people and build and develop their abilities in peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and the promotion of human fraternity.

The Council’s pavilion will be located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ booth at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024 presents the book “Islamic Philosophy in Al Maghreb (A Critical Study)” by Dr. Imad Kahafaji, a distinguished scholar of Al-Azhar. The book delves into the intellectual movement in Al-Andalus and the factors that led to the transfer and flourishing of philosophy in the region.

In the introduction to the book, the author explains that it specifically addresses one stream of philosophical thought in Islam, referring to the philosophical trend known as Al-Masha’i in Islamic thought. He emphasizes that the discussion is limited to the Andalusian region (present-day Spain and Portugal).

The book comprises three sections; firstly, Al-Ghazali’s Journey with the Masha’i Trend in Islamic Thought in the East, covering elements such as Al-Ghazali’s pursuit of certain knowledge, his exploration of means of knowledge, his evaluation of intellectual trends in his era, and his criticism of philosophy and philosophers. The second section discusses the intellectual movement in Al-Andalus, exploring the factors that led to the transfer and flourishing of philosophy in the region. The third and final section analyzes the philosophical movement in Al-Andalus, detailing its characteristics and notable figures. The author thoroughly examines the philosopher Ibn Bajjah from Saragossa, shedding light on Ibn Bajjah’s culture, scholarly status, philosophical doctrine, theory of knowledge, and contributions to ethical discussions.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Muslim Council of Elders presents, at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024, one of its latest releases, the book titled “Identarian Peace Management in the Muslim World: Concepts, Underpinnings, and Mechanisms” which is authored by a group of researchers at Al Hokama Center for Peace Research.

The book focuses on the risks and challenges threatening the identity of the Muslim world. It provides a scientific explanation for the factors causing imbalance and envisions practical solutions capable of restoring harmony to the Islamic identity. The book pursues two paths and foundational principles: the intellectual path, which researches identity peace issues theoretically by examining the causes of identity violence, monitoring identity status, and proposing practical solutions to overcome existing or potential confrontations. Meanwhile, the procedural path focuses on meticulous monitoring of identity status, creating public discourse within the cultural domains of the Muslim world, with the aim of promoting the culture of identity peace.

The book includes essential chapters covering concepts such as defining identity, identity readings and extensions, identity and the question of identity citizenship, from identity to identarian peace, identity and peace positions and paths, identity and peace towards an alternative model, and a methodological approach opposing the logic of conflict. It also evokes the psychological and social dimensions of identity issues, tracks identity representations, fields, and history, recalls associated judgments, evaluates identity classification criteria beyond concepts, recalls the functional roles of social upbringing institutions, and addresses various dimensions of identity issues by adopting procedural concepts. Lastly, it reinterprets history through the dimensions of identarian peace.

Additionally, the book contains a chapter on the Muslim world, discussing the theoretical framework for studying Muslim societies. It explores the Islamic nation between the authenticity of the Quranic concept and historical transformations, the House of Islam, the House of War, and the sovereignty of rulings. It also delves into the idea of the Islamic world, its historical and ideological formation, and the theoretical framework for the Muslim world.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

One of the latest releases presented by the Muslim Council of Elders at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024 for visitors is the book “Interfaith Encounters in Al-Andalus and Morocco: Exploring Muslim-Christian Interactions.” The book includes the proceedings of the seminar organized by the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, affiliated with the Muslim Council of Elders, held in Tetouan, Morocco, in 2022. This event was conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Abdelmalek Essaadi University, the Moroccan Association for Andalusian Studies, and the Tétouan Asmir Association, commemorating the Dutch orientalist and distinguished scholar, Pieter van Koningsveld.

This scientific seminar, titled “Interfaith Encounters between Muslims and Christians in Morocco and Al-Andalus in the Medieval and Early Modern Periods,” aligns with the center’s focus on the concepts of peace and their representations throughout the civilization’s experience. It explores the interactions between Muslims and Christians in Al-Andalus and the broader Islamic West, including Andalusia and Sicily. The focus spans from the establishment of Islamic rule in Andalusia in 711 CE to the near-final expulsion of Muslims in 1609 CE. The seminar covers political systems for both parties, the religious beliefs of Islam and Christianity and their sects, social customs and behavioral patterns, and finally, scholarly exchange and translation of books in various sciences and philosophies.

The book comprises two chapters. The first, “Interfaith Encounters in the Medieval Period,” includes sections on translation in Andalusia during the 9th and 10th centuries as a form of building bridges of interaction between Muslims and Christians. It traces knowledge about the other in Sicily from the time of Idrisi to the era of Hasan al-Wazzan. It also discusses Western reception of Islam, focusing on the first Latin translation of the Quran, Ramon Llull’s religious thoughts on Islam, and Christian kingdoms in Andalusia through the observations of Ibn al-Khatib.

The second chapter, titled “Interfaith Encounters in the Early Modern Period,” covers sections on anthropological and social data about Andalusian inhabitants through German eyes, using the journey of Hieronymus Munzer as an example. It explores the representations of Islam in Spanish historical writing in the early modern era, particularly Luis del Marmol Carvajal as a case study. Additionally, it delves into the discovery of Protestantism and its kingdoms by scholars in Morocco and Andalusia, the role of Islam and its Prophet in the knowledge and wisdom context, and a Christian sermon from the 17th century. The book also includes a section discussing the role of Andalusia in shaping the perceptions of Spaniards and Ottomans towards each other in the early modern era.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024 presents the work “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence.” The event took place in Manama, capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain, from November 3 to 4, 2022, in the presence of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, of the Catholic Church.

The Bahrain Dialogue Forum comprised four sessions, which carefully selected issues were addressed, reflecting their exceptional importance in the current moment of our world’s history. The discussions focused on peace, peaceful coexistence, and tolerance, education, contemporary ethical and moral crises, dialogue, especially religious dialogue, shared values among cultures, current economic and social crises, critical international relations issues like food and climate, wars, and the risks of Islamophobia. The role of religious leaders in addressing the challenges of their time was also explored.

While introducing the book, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, emphasized that wisdom represented the essence of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum. The wise figures from Eastern and Western societies were its guests and invitees, embodying a deep belief in the importance of listening to them to benefit from their experiences in building peace and strengthening the values of human coexistence in diverse religious and cultural contexts. This mutual exchange, through various institutional experiences and different social environments, enhances the role of the Muslim Council of Elders and its contribution to fulfilling its mission in partnership with all stakeholders committed to these human values worldwide.

Judge Abdelsalam affirmed that choosing “Dialogue” as the theme of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum signifies a triumph for a major humanitarian value and a grand idea. The global event elevates the management of human relations and builds innovative visions for solving complex global problems at various levels. It represents a victory for an inspiring vision deeply rooted in spiritual and moral sources. The participation of the two major religious symbols, His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis, in the Bahrain Dialogue Forum is a significant source of influence for the forum and for religious dialogue worldwide. Their historical roles, reflected in signing the Document of Human Fraternity, were highlighted.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders clarified that the Bahrain Dialogue Forum sought to emphasize the importance of dialogue as the sole and most effective path to invest in common human intelligence for solving global problems. It did so by addressing them through various approaches and experiences, collectively contemplating innovative and creative solutions to some of the challenges facing humanity. This was achieved by involving a qualitative group of influential actors with visionary expertise and leading initiatives, confirming that the Bahrain Dialogue Forum was more than just an opportunity for encounters and dialogues between diverse global elites of references and specialties. It was a message for a shared future and an advanced idea proposed by the wise figures of the world, considering it an open choice and a continuous path that unites all those concerned about the future of humanity and eager for fraternity among its children.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024 presents the book “Proceedings of the International Symposium – Islam and the West: Diversity and Integration.” This conference was held by Al-Azhar in partnership with the Muslim Council of Elders from October 22 to 24, 2018. The book, part of the Muslim Council of Elders’ publications, showcases the insights from distinguished scholars, experts, and leaders from the Muslim and Western worlds.

The conference aimed to provide a platform for these individuals to share their perspectives and thoughts on the complex and extensive topic of Islam and the West. The insights presented in this book contribute to enhancing the mutual understanding between the two parties, helping them navigate the challenges they collectively face. 

The book also emphasizes that Islam is a comprehensive message directed to all of humanity and serves as the culmination of divine revelation sent from the heavens to the earth as a mercy to the worlds. Islam, with its universal and eternal nature, rapidly spread across geographical boundaries in history. Within a single generation of the Prophet’s mission, Islam had reached from the Arabian Peninsula to the important cultural and political centers of the time, such as the Levant, becoming the dominant force across a vast area stretching from China to southern France within a century.

The book highlights the pressing need for insightful reflection from wise scholars, experts in the field, and those with perspectives on the issues surrounding the relationship between Islam and the West today. The interconnected destinies of the two civilizational realms necessitate ongoing dialogue, the promotion of understanding, the identification of common ground, and maximizing opportunities for cooperation in the face of shared challenges.

The content of the book includes the proceedings of the conference’s various sessions, covering topics such as the evolution of the relationship between Islam and the West, the tension between Muslims and other Europeans, citizenship as a solution, nationalism, populism, the status of religion, demographics, ideology, migration, the future, religious dialogue, societal dialogue, points of agreement, points of disagreement, and the content and style of religious education.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace, and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.