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Grand Imam: Education is one of the foundations for instilling interfaith dialogue in societies

Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference: The words of the Grand Imam at ‘The Audacity of Peace’ meeting serve as a source of inspiration to do more to consolidate fraternity and peace

Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference: We seek to replicate the experience of the Document on Human Fraternity and benefit from Al-Azhar’s expertise in establishing the foundations of Islamic-Christian dialogue in Germany

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, has held a meeting with Bishop Georg Bätzing, Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, at His Eminence’s residence in Berlin. Also in attendance was Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders.

During the meeting, the Grand Imam emphasized the paramount importance of the meetings between himself and other religious leaders and scholars of various religions. This is based on his firm belief in that peace cannot reach the masses without preceding steps of dialogue and peace between religions. It is for this reason that Al-Azhar and the Vatican collaborated, as a result of a genuine friendship between the Grand Imam and Pope Francis which enabled the opening of channels for dialogue and the launch of various joint global projects. The most notable of these was the co-signing of the Document on Human Fraternity, which took a whole year of diligent work until it was released to the world on February 4, 2019. The document received international recognition with the anniversary of its signing being declared an ‘International Day of Human Fraternity’.

The Grand Imam added that Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders continue their positive approach to dialogue with a number of other religious institutions and bodies, such as the World Council of Churches, the Middle East Council of Churches, and the Church of England. This dialogue in turn has resulted in a convergence of viewpoints, allowing us to use dialogue to promote the common good. He further emphasized that Al-Azhar has a pioneering experience with the Egyptian churches, represented in the Egyptian Family House, co-chaired by the Grand Imam and the Pope of the Orthodox Church on an alternating basis every six months. This institution has had a profound role and in turn helped prevent various sectarian conflicts by eliminating their root causes.

His Eminence further highlighted that education stands at the forefront of the necessary foundations for instilling interfaith dialogue in societies, particularly in its early stages. Therefore, the Muslim Council of Elders took the initiative to disseminate the Document on Human Fraternity and include it within various educational curricula to reinforce the principles of human fraternity around the world.

For his part, the Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference expressed his happiness at meeting the Grand Imam while also expressing his appreciation for His Eminence’s efforts in establishing the values of fraternity, peace, and dialogue between different religions. He also affirmed that the words of the Grand Imam at the ‘The Audacity of Peace’ meeting which was organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio carried important messages and served as a source of inspiration to do more to consolidate fraternity and peace. He added that the German Bishop’s Conference seeks to replicate the pioneering experience of the Document on Human Fraternity and benefit from Al-Azhar’s expertise in laying the foundations for an Islamic-Christian dialogue within German society.

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders Meets the President of Germany to Enhance Dialogue between Different Religions and Cultures

German President: Germany Appreciates the Efforts of the Grand Imam in Promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Human Fraternity

*German President: Germany Is Eager to Combat Islamophobia and Reduce Hostility Towards Islam and Muslims*

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has met Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of the German Republic, to discuss ways to combat the increasing Islamophobia in Europe, and to address the defamation of religious sanctities. The meeting was attended by Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders.

The Grand Imam emphasized that Al-Azhar is keen on spreading the values of peace and human fraternity both locally and globally. On the global level, Al-Azhar has launched several initiatives, foremost among them being the Egyptian Family House, in collaboration with various Egyptian churches which has been a cohesive and fortified national movement against hatred and bigotry.

His Eminence added that Al-Azhar has taken significant steps in promoting global peace. The crowning achievement of these efforts being the historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity alongside His Holiness Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019 which was a message of goodwill to the entire world. The Grand Imam pointed out that anyone who scrutinizes the language of the document will not be able to discern whether it was written by a Muslim or Christian since it was a sincere endeavor where the visions of Al-Azhar and the Vatican unified for the sake of humanity in order to achieve happiness and avoiding its suffering. 

The Grand Imam also emphasized that Al-Azhar stands unequivocally against any attack on any religion, whether Islamic sanctities or those of other religions. Just as Al-Azhar stood against incidents of burning the Quran, it also had a clear stance against the burning of churches and attacks on Christians in Pakistan. This underscores a genuine and firmly held belief that there is no way to overcome the crises of contemporary humanity except through dialogue, and that a culture of rapprochement, coexistence, and integration should prevail over bigotry and hatred.

His Eminence also expressed his appreciation for Germany’s significant support for refugees, its welcoming of them, which set an example of human fraternity and a clear conviction towards those who left their homelands and families due to wars and conflicts.

For his part, the German President expressed his appreciation for the important visit of the Grand Imam that comes at a crucial time. He added that he personally values and closely follows the great efforts of the Grand Imam in promoting coexistence, fraternity, and equality among all people. He also highlighted his appreciation for the fraternal relationship between the Grand Imam and Pope Francis, noting that this relationship has opened channels of dialogue and communication between different cultures and religions.

The German President further affirmed his country’s commitment to combating Islamophobia, reducing hostility towards Islam and Muslims by condemning incidents of burning the Quran on several occasions and rejecting extremist practices towards Islam and Muslims. He affirmed his personal readiness to work with the Grand Imam to eliminate all forms of bigotry and hatred and to promote dialogue between followers of different religions and cultures.

Under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders expresses its solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco in the wake of the massive earthquake that struck several Moroccan cities, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

The Council calls for urgent action to assist in the ensuing rescue efforts, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, and to provide immediate support and relief to all affected. They Council also extends its deepest condolences to the Kingdom of Morocco, its leadership, people, as well as the families of victims, and prays to Almighty Allah for the swift recovery of the injured.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirms that education is a right for every individual and is crucial for building more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies. The Council also emphasizes Almighty Allah created humans and endowed them with knowledge and understanding as well as hearing, sight, and intellect – which should all be employed in service of humanity.

In a statement on International Literacy Day, observed by the United Nations on September 8th every year, the Council asserts that Islam is the religion of knowledge with the first verse revealed in the Holy Quran commanding reading, {Read in the name of your Lord who created}. Islam also regards the pursuit of knowledge as a path to paradise, as stated in the noble Hadith, “Whoever takes a path to seek knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for them” (Narrated by Muslim).

On this occasion, the Council also emphasizes the necessity of highlighting the importance of literacy, considering it a fundamental human right and a significant means for the advancement, progress, and prosperity of all societies. The Council also commends all those dedicated to spreading knowledge and eliminating ignorance and illiteracy by providing suitable educational opportunities for all people, regardless of their background.

Under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders is dedicated to combating illiteracy as well as rectifying misconceptions, and confronting extremist ideologies through over 165 publications by the Dar Al Hokama Publishing. These publications aim is to disseminate authentic Islamic teachings and promote the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence.

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to Participate in the International Meeting ‘The Audacity of Peace’ in Berlin

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, is set to participate in the International Meeting ‘The Audacity of Peace’ organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio in Berlin, from September 10th to 12th, 2023.

During his visit to Berlin, His Eminence is also scheduled to meet with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as various religious, community and political leaders and figures to engage in discussions aimed at promoting the values of peace and human fraternity as well as countering growing Islamophobia in Europe. Meetings will also discuss strategies to combat the disrespect for religious sanctities, along with the hostility shown towards Islam and Muslims.

Furthermore, the Grand Imam will meet with representatives of the Muslim community in Germany to explore ways of bolstering Al-Azhar’s support for Muslims in the country. This will likely involve increasing the number of academic scholarships offered by Al-Azhar to young Muslims in Germany, enabling them to pursue their studies at Al-Azhar University. Additionally, steps will be taken to enroll German imams for training courses and programs at the International Al-Azhar Academy for training of imams and preachers.

Abu Dhabi, September 6, 2023: A global summit for faith leaders from around the world will take place in Abu Dhabi from 6 to 7 November, to underscore the crucial role of faith communities in addressing climate change. The summit will take place ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28), which will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

Faith leaders representing the world’s major religions, academics, and environmental experts are expected to attend the two-day event with the aim of discussing the ethical responsibilities of faith leaders in addressing the climate crisis. The meeting will also address the collaboration between faith and science to bridge the gap between empirical evidence and spiritual teachings, discuss strategies for amplifying the voices of religious leaders to enhance climate justice, and highlight ways to engage grassroots communities in achieving sustainable development.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the event will be organised by the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) under Chairman, His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb. The summit will be hosted in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Catholic Church.

Muslim Council of Elders Secretary-General, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, said, “As our world inches closer to irreversible climate damage that can only be addressed through collective effort, the preliminary summit of religious leaders for COP28 comes at a critical moment where scaling up climate action in all sectors of society, eradicating climate change ignorance, and raising awareness of environmental issues have become imperative. The Muslim Council of Elders appreciates the patronage and support of His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, in this initiative as well as His Highness’ eagerness to support the role religions have in addressing global challenges.”

During COP28, the MCE and the UNEP, in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, will co-host the Faith Pavilion at COP28, the first pavilion of its kind at a COP event.

Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General and Special Representative of COP28, said, “Inclusion is the foundation of the COP28 Presidency – faith-based communities and organisations play a crucial role in helping the world address climate change. To highlight this, COP28 will be the first COP to host a pavilion dedicated to the engagement of faith communities.

Our goal is to provide a global stage for fostering religious engagement and interfaith dialogue with the aim of inspiring ambitious goals and concrete actions to address the climate crisis.”

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from 30 November to 12 December and is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first-ever Global Stocktake – a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a “leave no one behind” approach to inclusive climate action.

Under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders emphasizes that observing the International Day of Charity, which falls on the 5th of September each year, represents a great opportunity to elevate the values of solidarity, benevolence, and strengthen social bonds.

In an official statement, the Council underscores the urgent need to extend help and assistance to all people regardless of their religious, or ethnic backgrounds, with a particular focus on the impoverished, needy, marginalized, and displaced as well as all refugees, and those who have lost their homes.

The Muslim Council of Elders is also dedicated to promoting global solidarity, social responsibility, and volunteer work, to go with motivating people, civil society organizations, and charitable entities to jointly collaborate in aiding the poor and needy. This aligns with its ultimate aim of creating more inclusive and resilient societies that foster the values of tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has stressed that the Faith Pavilion at the COP28 conference, hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the end of the current year, represents a significant opportunity to enhance the role of religious figures and leaders, and to follow all religious teachings in addressing climate change while also serving as a platform to launch initiatives and ideas proposed by these leaders alongside the efforts of all nations and peoples in confronting climate change.

Following a comprehensive review of all the ideas, activities, and events proposed by the organizers of the Faith Pavilion, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan expressed the importance of making the pavilion an inclusive platform for prominent religious leaders from around the world to share their respective insights. He emphasized that climate change and its impact on the planet concern everyone and will undoubtedly affect us all. He also affirmed the UAE leadership’s commitment, represented by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to utilize all available resources to achieve COP28’s noble objectives in safeguarding planet Earth. This, he pointed, requires joint efforts from all countries in confronting climate change, as it profoundly impacts both the present and future of humanity. His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan also expressed his appreciation for the exceptional efforts of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE alongside the endeavors of various nations around the world.

The UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence also emphasized that the establishment of the inaugural Faith Pavilion at the COP28 conference reflects the United Arab Emirates’ and its wise leadership’s firm belief in involving all segments of society to reach practical solutions to climate change. This belief aligns with the recognition of the importance of the voices of religious leaders in confronting global challenges, especially the negative impacts of climate change.

His Excellency explained that the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, with its wealth of experience and capacity for engaging religious leaders, along with its comprehensive plans and programs, is pleased to support the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with the Muslim Council of Elders and the COP28 Presidency. He further pointed out that supporting interfaith dialogue is one of the Ministry of Tolerance’s major priorities, which includes promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence, peace, and human fraternity.

His Excellency Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General and Special Representative of the UAE Presidency for the COP28 conference, had signed a memorandum of understanding with Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, with the aim of establishing a strong and ongoing partnership focused on promoting interfaith dialogue and environmental sustainability.

The memorandum of understanding highlights the collaboration between both parties alongside the UAE’s Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, the United Nations Environment Programme, and other relevant international partners, to organize a series of events and activities aimed at enhancing the role of religious figures in addressing the negative impacts of climate change in the run up to the ‘Road to COP28’ event. It also recognizes the significant role that religious leaders and representatives can play in confronting various contemporary challenges.