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Throughout 2025, the Muslim Council of Elders, through its regional offices, continued to advance the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace, while expanding its global outreach and deepening engagement with Muslim communities worldwide. These efforts aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the most pressing challenges facing communities today and to draw inspiration from diverse experiences in building social cohesion and peaceful coexistence among people of different religions, cultures, and intellectual traditions. This work reflects a strategic vision to broaden the Council’s global impact and strengthen its on-the-ground presence across regions.
 
During 2025, the Council’s regional offices served as beacons of hope and bridges of communication, dialogue, and coexistence amid a world facing complex and interrelated challenges. These offices—located in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Central Asia region, including Kazakhstan—played a central role in advancing the Council’s mission by organizing a wide range of scholarly, cultural, and outreach initiatives. These activities were implemented in partnership with official institutions and religious, academic, and civil society organizations at the local, regional, and international levels, with a focus on promoting dialogue, advancing a culture of tolerance, and fostering peaceful coexistence.
 
In Kazakhstan, the Central Asia office of the Muslim Council of Elders, headquartered in Astana, organized a series of major initiatives aimed at promoting spiritual diplomacy, advancing Islamic culture, and fostering the values of dialogue and coexistence. Among these initiatives was a joint workshop on artificial intelligence, organized in cooperation with L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, bringing together leading AI specialists from across Central Asia. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding in the fields of artificial intelligence ethics and technological innovation, marking the beginning of a long-term academic and cultural partnership.
 
The office also organized an international roundtable at the Egyptian University of Islamic Culture “Nur-Mubarak” in Almaty, titled “Spiritual Diplomacy and the Preservation of the Sacred Heritage of World Religions.” The event explored the role of religious institutions in safeguarding global spiritual heritage. In addition, two workshops were held on “Media and Peace Journalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” in Turkistan, in cooperation with Khoja Akhmet Yassawi University, and in the city of Almaty, in partnership with the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, with the participation of policymakers, academics, journalists, and media experts from Central Asia.
 
During the holy month of Ramadan, the Central Asia office organized several programs, including Ramadan missions, a communal iftar, and an Islamic calligraphy exhibition in Kazakhstan. These events were attended by senior officials, diplomats, representatives of religious institutions, and civil society organizations, and aimed to promote dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

At a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, attended by His Eminence Sheikh Nauryzbai Kazhy Taganuly, Supreme Mufti of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan; His Eminence Professor Dr. Mohamed Al-Duweini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif; and His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, the Central Asia branch launched the Kazakh-language edition of the book Foundations of Islam by His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. On this occasion, His Eminence Sheikh Nauryzbai Kazhy Taganuly announced that the book would be incorporated into the curricula for training imams in Kazakhstan, as part of efforts to promote a balanced and enlightened understanding of Islam.
 
In Indonesia, the Council’s branch organized the Harmony Camp, a youth camp bringing together 40 participants from diverse religious backgrounds. The program focused on fostering coexistence, environmental responsibility, and ethical approaches to artificial intelligence as a shared human and religious responsibility. The branch also hosted a Ramadan communal iftar for religious leaders and organized the Council’s Ramadan outreach programs across the country, including a national Ramadan radio program and a Ramadan competition. In addition, it held a national seminar entitled “When Scholars Embrace Algorithms,” in cooperation with Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University in Yogyakarta, attended by more than 700 academics, researchers, and postgraduate students.
 
The Indonesian branch also launched an initiative to translate the Document on Human Fraternity into Braille, coinciding with World Braille Day, and distributed it to persons with visual impairments to promote inclusive access to the values of peace and human fraternity. It also organized a nationwide sermon competition on the themes of human fraternity and religious responsibility toward the environment, with the participation of 890 imams from across Indonesia.
 
In Pakistan, the Muslim Council of Elders’ branch participated in the National Youth Climate Summit 2025, held in Islamabad, which brought together more than 500 participants, including policymakers, academics, youth leaders, government officials, and students. The Council emphasized the importance of empowering youth to play a leading role in addressing climate change and advancing environmental sustainability.
 
During the month of Ramadan, the Council’s office in Pakistan also hosted an iftar gathering for religious leaders, senior officials, diplomats, and academics. In addition, it took part in the Council’s Ramadan missions, which included visits to several regions—among them Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and the capital Islamabad—to lead religious programs, deliver lectures, promote moderation, and spread enlightened religious discourse. The branch also organized a Ramadan competition, translated several publications, and participated in the Lahore and Karachi International Book Fairs.
 
In Malaysia, the Council’s branch continued its efforts to strengthen engagement with all segments of Malaysian society through a wide range of activities. These included translating several of the Council’s publications into Malay and organizing cultural and educational initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, tolerance, and peace.
 
Through all these efforts, the Muslim Council of Elders continues, in 2026, to implement a wide range of intellectual, cultural, and community-based programs aimed at promoting the values of dialogue, coexistence, and peace; strengthening moderation and balance; and building bridges of understanding among followers of different religions and cultures—thereby affirming its global mission to advance human fraternity and foster an enlightened, inclusive religious discourse responsive to the challenges of our time.

As part of its participation in the Karachi International Book Fair 2025, the Muslim Council of Elders organized its second symposium titled: “Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Responsibility of Religious and Educational Institutions.” The session featured Mufti Abdul Munim Faiz, Media Director at Al-Rasheed University – Karachi, and Engineer Faraz Hussain Borrero, Founder of “PakGPT” and Co-Chairman of “Pro Global AI,” and was moderated by Muhammad Adeel Al-Azhari, Translation Officer at the Muslim Council of Elders’ Pakistan office.

The symposium opened by emphasizing that the growing presence of artificial intelligence technologies in the lives of individuals and societies imposes clear responsibilities on religious and educational institutions—not only in transferring knowledge to youth and future generations but also in defining the ethical and human framework for using these technologies. This ensures that AI serves human values, preserves human dignity, and promotes social responsibility in the digital age.
Participants praised the Muslim Council of Elders’ commitment to promoting the ethical use of artificial intelligence as an intellectual and humanitarian issue requiring responsible approaches. They noted that the Council, in collaboration with various partners, is working to develop reference frameworks and standards to guide AI development and usage, preventing it from encroaching on values, violating rights, or creating informational confusion among the public—especially in highly sensitive areas.

In his remarks, Engineer Faraz Hussain Borrero provided a simplified explanation of how AI systems generate responses, noting that outputs are directly linked to the nature of the data they receive and the way questions are formulated. He explained that this affects the accuracy and quality of results and their usability in daily life, given the growing reliance on these technologies across multiple fields.

For his part, Mufti Abdul Munim Faiz stressed that the prudent use of AI by students and the public should remain within the framework of referencing sources and supporting researchers, rather than turning into complete dependence on ready-made answers taken without review or verification. He warned that validation is a critical condition before issuing any rulings, especially on religious matters and fatwas, explaining that AI-generated answers may vary depending on question phrasing, user context, and language. This, he said, requires critical awareness and reinforces the need for trusted scholarly references.

The symposium featured an interactive discussion and active participation, with numerous questions raised about addressing ethical challenges related to AI applications and ways to minimize cognitive errors and risks associated with circulating inaccurate or unverified information. Speakers emphasized that collaboration between AI developers and religious and educational institutions is essential to provide accurate data for models and to develop precise standards for handling content.

Students and researchers from various religious and educational institutions in Pakistan attended the symposium and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to gain direct insights into AI and its ethical dimensions within an organized knowledge framework. They commended the Muslim Council of Elders’ initiatives and efforts to open serious discussions on contemporary issues affecting people’s lives and to develop ethical frameworks that guide the development and use of modern technologies in harmony with human values.

The Council’s pavilion at the Karachi International Book Fair is located in Hall 1, Pavilion 45 at the Karachi Expo Center and is open December 18 to 22, 2025.

Throughout 2025, the Muslim Council of Elders strengthened its cultural and intellectual presence around the world through active participation in numerous international book fairs. These efforts reflect the Council’s mission and its role in promoting peace, spreading the values of moderation, coexistence, tolerance, and dialogue, and reinforcing the principles of human fraternity in the face of a rapidly changing world.

The Council’s participation in thirteen major fairs attracted significant attention from visitors, researchers, thought leaders, cultural figures, and officials. These engagements included organizing cultural meetings and intellectual discussions aimed at raising awareness of shared human values and reaffirming the role of knowledge in promoting peace and countering extremism, fanaticism, hatred, and Islamophobia.

In 2025, the Council took part in book fairs in Cairo, New Delhi, Lahore, Erbil, Tunis, Rabat, the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, the America International Arabic Book Fair, the Indonesia Islamic Book Fair, Alexandria, and Iraq. Each participation featured diverse cultural and intellectual programs, including dozens of seminars and dialogue sessions addressing a wide range of intellectual, cultural, literary, and religious issues. Discussions focused on values of tolerance and coexistence, Intra–Islamic dialogue, the role of youth and women in peacebuilding, and the development of enlightened religious, cultural, and educational discourse while also emphasizing the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence in serving humanity and society, alongside special activities dedicated to youth, women, and children.

The Council’s global book fair engagements earned several awards and honors, including the Best Pavilion Award at the Jakarta Islamic Book Fair for the third consecutive year, and the Outstanding Partnership Award at the America International Arabic Book Fair. Additionally, the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Karachi International Book Fair was recognized as a distinguished international participant by Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Minister of Education for Sindh Province. Organizers of the Cairo International Book Fair and the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair also honored the Council’s pavilion in appreciation of its efforts to promote knowledge and coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ participation in global book fairs forms part of a clear strategy aimed at transforming culture and knowledge into bridges of understanding between peoples and platforms for fostering reasoned and wise discourse in a world marked by rapid transformations and growing challenges.

Throughout 2025, the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, maintained an active international presence at regional and global conferences and forums addressing issues of societal peace, interfaith dialogue, combating extremism and hate speech, promoting the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and reaffirming the role of religious leaders in tackling global challenges.

During the year, the Council participated in several high-level intellectual and religious conferences that explored the ethical and intellectual challenges facing the world. These engagements emphasized the need to restore the role of human and religious values in building cohesive societies, strengthen cultures of understanding and mutual respect among peoples, and reaffirm that responsible dialogue—rooted in wisdom and moderation—is a cornerstone for addressing ideological and religious conflicts. The Council also highlighted the critical role of religious leaders in safeguarding societies against extremism and division.

Key international engagements in 2025 included the Chan Forum in China, the Global Summit on Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C., and the Wilton Park Dialogue in the United Kingdom on the role and responsibility of religious leaders in crisis response. The Council also participated in the Global Justice, Love, and Peace Summit at Expo Dubai and the international conference “Maturidism: The School of Tolerance, Moderation, and Enlightenment” in Uzbekistan. Additionally, it contributed to the symposium “Memory and Its Relation to Human Dignity: Opportunities and Challenges of Global Population Aging”, where an international document supporting the protection and dignity of the elderly was launched.

Other notable events included the G20 Interfaith Forum in Addis Ababa, the Arab Media Forum in Dubai, the global conference “Finding the Courage to Pursue Peace” in Italy, the 16th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, and the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan. The Council also engaged in the World Council meeting of Religions for Peace, the Astana International Forum (AIF), the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV as head of the Catholic Church, the Media Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Broadcasting Union in Fujairah, and the National Festival of Tolerance in the United Arab Emirates.

In addition, the Council co-organized several major international events in 2025, including the Islamic–Islamic Dialogue Conference in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the G20 Interfaith Forum in South Africa, and the Third International Conference on Combating Islamophobia in Azerbaijan. It also hosted an international panel discussion in Kazakhstan on the role of religious leaders in promoting sustainable peace, the Local Youth Conference on Climate Change in Egypt, and an international workshop titled “Media and Peace Journalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” in Kazakhstan. Furthermore, the Council organized the national symposium “When Scholars Meet Algorithms” in Indonesia.

The Council also conducted a visit to the U.S. state of Utah, meeting with religious leaders, academics, and government officials, and welcomed delegations from international institutions and global churches to strengthen the values of human fraternity, expand interfaith cooperation, and support ethical innovation in artificial intelligence.

These efforts reflect the Council’s vision of transforming shared religious values into effective tools for building global peace and fostering collaboration among religious and intellectual institutions worldwide. Looking ahead to 2026, the Muslim Council of Elders will continue its mission to promote peace globally, spread the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, reaffirm the role of religious leaders in addressing global challenges, and advance the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

His Excellency Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, visited the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Karachi International Book Fair 2025. During the visit, the Minister reviewed a selection of the Council’s diverse intellectual publications and commended their role in promoting the values of dialogue, understanding, and intellectual awareness.

The Minister also learned about the cultural and intellectual program accompanying the Council’s participation in the fair, which includes thought-provoking seminars and open discussions addressing contemporary intellectual issues and contributing to the consolidation of a culture of peace and coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders continues its first participation at the Karachi International Book Fair, attracting significant interest from visitors across various academic, cultural, and intellectual fields, with growing attention to its publications and cultural program.

As part of this participation, the Council is showcasing over 250 intellectual titles in eight languages, including 12 publications in Urdu, reflecting its commitment to expanding knowledge exchange and promoting a culture of dialogue and peace through books and learning.

The Council’s pavilion at the Karachi International Book Fair is located in Hall 1, Pavilion 45 at the Karachi Expo Center and is open December 18 to 22, 2025.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion hosted its third symposium as part of the activities of the Karachi International Book Fair 2025, titled: “The Role of Islamic Institutions in Promoting Islamic–Islamic Dialogue.” The session featured Hujjat al-Islam Allama Mawlana Asghar Hussain Shahidi, Board Member at Al-Fatimiya International University, Director of the Leadership and Educational Management System, and Secretary-General of the Association of Scholars and Imams of Karachi Mosques; and Dr. Muhammad Amir Taseen, Executive Director of the Scientific Council Foundation – Karachi. The discussion was moderated by Muhammad Aslam Raza Al-Azhari, Secretary-General of the World Association of Al-Azhar Graduates – Pakistan Branch.

The symposium opened by emphasizing the vital role of religious and educational institutions in promoting Islamic–Islamic dialogue, noting that the Muslim Council of Elders seeks to transform dialogue from a theoretical concept into practical programs that create tangible impact within Muslim communities. Participants praised the Bahrain Dialogue Forum which was organized by the Council and its outcome—the Ahlul-Qiblah Call—as a reference framework outlining the principles and foundations needed for Islamic–Islamic dialogue.

Dr. Muhammad Amir Taseen stressed that Intra–Islamic dialogue is an essential tool for addressing intellectual challenges and combating extremism through constructive engagement. He highlighted the ability of religious and educational institutions to play a pivotal role as platforms for spreading a culture of dialogue, while underscoring the need to leverage technology and social media to broaden discussions, enhance understanding within communities, and involve youth and women as future leaders and guardians of diversity.

For his part, Hujjat al-Islam Mawlana Asghar Hussain Shahidi affirmed that religious institutions bear a major responsibility in promoting a culture of tolerance. He explained that the pulpit represents the voice of society and that moderation in discourse directly influences moderation among people. He emphasized that internal dialogue among Islamic schools and currents is essential to strengthen unity across all components of the Ummah. He called for developing curricula that focus on commonalities among schools of thought, establishing joint councils of scholars from different traditions, and facilitating exchange visits between educational and religious institutions.

He further noted that dialogue is not a secondary option but a civilizational necessity to safeguard the unity of the Ummah amid contemporary intellectual challenges. Dialogue, he said, provides a practical entry point to reduce sectarian conflicts and achieve coexistence. He stressed the importance of organizing regular conferences and workshops, supporting youth-led initiatives that promote understanding, and launching training programs for imams and preachers on the culture of dialogue to ensure the spread of responsible and balanced discourse that strengthens Islamic and human fraternity.

The symposium witnessed broad participation from university professors, students, and researchers from various religious and educational institutions in Pakistan. It concluded with an open discussion session, during which attendees praised the Muslim Council of Elders’ initiatives and efforts to promote Intra–Islamic dialogue and spread values of fraternity and mutual understanding within communities.

The Council’s pavilion at the Karachi International Book Fair is located in Hall 1, Pavilion 45 at the Karachi Expo Center and is open December 18 to 22, 2025.

As part of a series of initiatives aimed at promoting the ethical use of artificial intelligence and leveraging media to spread values of dialogue, coexistence, and peace, the Muslim Council of Elders’ Central Asia office organized its second high-level roundtable titled “Media and Peace Journalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The event took place at the Friendship House in Almaty, in cooperation with the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Center for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue, with the participation of decision-makers, academics, journalists, and media experts from across Central Asia.

The roundtable opened with welcoming remarks by Senator Dr. Darkhan Kuandykuly Kydyrali, Member of the Senate and General Supervisor of the Muslim Council of Elders’ Central Asia office, who read a congratulatory message from H.E. Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan. In his message, Ashimbayev emphasized that in light of rapid technological transformations, media responsibility, adherence to ethical standards, and the promotion of peace-oriented narratives are critical factors in fostering social harmony and stability. He highlighted the importance of strengthening media literacy and building public trust through responsible journalism.

In his address, Dr. Kydyrali expressed gratitude to all participants and organizers, extending special appreciation to the Muslim Council of Elders under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and to the Council’s Secretary-General, Counselor Mohamed Abdel Salam, as well as the Central Asia office for their continuous support of peacebuilding and dialogue initiatives in the region.

Another speech was delivered by Senator Gulsana Karpikovna Kozhabay, who read a message from Aida G. Balayeva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan. Balayeva stressed that developing peace journalism and embedding ethical media practices has become an urgent necessity to counter misinformation, hate speech, and social polarization in the digital age. She noted the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping public opinion and the need for clear ethical frameworks to regulate its use.

Senator Kozhabay also announced plans to organize a large-scale international conference in early 2026, supported by the Senate and the Muslim Council of Elders, inviting all stakeholders to actively participate in this upcoming initiative.

During the session, Senator Bibigul Zheksenbay expressed her gratitude to the organizers and participants, underscoring the importance of addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and modern media. She called for transforming specialized discussions into practical ideas that can reach the general public, stressing that dialogue should extend not only between religions but also among nations and cultures, with a strong emphasis on the language of peace in public discourse. She cited Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s statement: “Social stability is the cornerstone of any sustainable society.”

Zhuldyzai Ysаkova, Chairperson of the Board of the Kazakhstan Institute for Social Development, focused on signs of social fragmentation, pointing to rapid societal changes, declining levels of trust among individuals, the spread of hate speech, and weakening social bonds—where people today interact less with neighbors and even relatives compared to the past.

On the impact of technology, Aigul Sadvakassova, Director of the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies of Kazakhstan, noted that artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in shaping media agendas. She highlighted that news algorithms tend to favor individualistic values at a time when smartphones and information security remain vulnerable to breaches. She explained that peace journalism often lacks emotional appeal and fast-paced content, making it less widespread compared to sensational or negative news.

In the discussion session, Srayil Smail, Editor-in-Chief of Zhas Qazaq newspaper, warned that the world is witnessing a form of hybrid warfare in which information plays a decisive role. He cautioned that news is now broadcast almost instantly without sufficient editorial scrutiny, posing serious risks to public awareness and social stability.

The roundtable concluded with an open discussion that produced a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening ethical standards in media work, supporting peace journalism, and ensuring the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the information space.

As part of its cultural program at the Karachi International Book Fair 2025, the Muslim Council of Elders organized the first symposium titled “The Muslim Council of Elders’ Efforts to Promote Coexistence Worldwide.” The event was attended by a number of academics, religious and intellectual leaders, and attracted significant interest from visitors to the fair.

The symposium featured Dr. Azeer Mahmood Al-Azhari, member of the Islamic Ideological Council of Pakistan and President of the World Association of Al-Azhar Graduates in Pakistan, and Father Norbert Paul, Assistant Priest at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and was moderated by Dr. Muhammad Arshad Al-Azhari, Director of the Muslim Council of Elders’ branch in Pakistan.

Dr. Muhammad Arshad Al-Azhari introduced highlighted the Muslim Council of Elders’ vital role in promoting peace and spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, while countering narratives of extremism, hatred, fanaticism, and discrimination. He emphasized that the Council has emerged as a global institutional framework working to strengthen coexistence and peace through practical initiatives and constructive interfaith and intercultural dialogues.

Father Norbert Paul affirmed that the Document on Human Fraternity, which was co-signed in Abu Dhabi by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the late Pope Francis, former Pontiff of the Catholic Church, has become a global reference for embedding values of coexistence among followers of different religions and cultures. He noted that the document has helped establish a universal humanitarian discourse based on mutual respect and the rejection of hatred.

Dr. Azeer Mahmood Al-Azhari shed light on the various initiatives implemented by the Muslim Council of Elders to correct misconceptions, promote dialogue among youth, strengthen East-West dialogues, and organize intellectual and religious meetings aimed at building bridges between different civilizations. He explained that the Council’s efforts in interfaith dialogue and Islamic–Islamic dialogue contribute to presenting Islam as a religion that calls for peace and coexistence, while reinforcing the principles of human fraternity.

This symposium is part of the Muslim Council of Elders’ activities at the Karachi International Book Fair, reaffirming its mission to promote peace, entrench the values of dialogue and tolerance, build bridges of coexistence, and highlight the role of thought and knowledge in addressing contemporary challenges and fostering mutual respect among peoples.

The Council’s pavilion at the Karachi International Book Fair is located in Hall 1, Pavilion 45 at the Karachi Expo Center and is open December 18 to 22, 2025.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, extends his warmest congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and to the people of Qatar on the occasion of the nation’s National Day.

His Eminence commends the remarkable developmental and achievements of the State of Qatar and its active role in supporting the causes of the Arab and Islamic world. He prays to Almighty Allah to protect Qatar—its leadership and people—and to bless it with continued security, stability, and prosperity.