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The Kingdom of Bahrain will tomorrow host the first meeting of the Permanent Committee for Islamic-Christian Dialogue between the Muslim Council of Elders and the Catholic Church.

The Permanent Committee for Islamic-Christian Dialogue was established under a joint memorandum of understanding between the Abu Dhabi-based Muslim Council of Elders and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue as a direct result of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence, which took place in the Kingdom of Bahrain last November. The forum coincided with the historic official visit of His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church and His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to the Kingdom of Bahrain, in response to a gracious invitation from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain.

The inaugural meeting also aims to coordinate joint efforts and initiatives to enhance dialogue and coexistence among people of different religious and cultural backgrounds and to support the Islamic-Christian dialogue, which has a long history of common coexistence. It is also part of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum’s calls to support joint projects between Islam and Christianity and to promote dialogue and coexistence on a global level.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is represented in the Muslim Council of Elders by His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Council seeks to implement various important initiatives and projects in the field of promoting peace and dialogue among followers of different religions in general, and between Islam and Christianity in particular.

In 2019, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, joined hands with His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church to co-sign the landmark Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi. Widely regarded as the most important charter of interreligious dialogue in the modern era, the document’s signing was held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has affirmed that the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair represents a pioneering global event that embodies the message of the United Arab Emirates and its wise leadership under the presidency of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in supporting and nurturing thought, literature, and culture to enhance the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence.

The Secretary-General stated that focusing the 32nd edition of the fair on the issue of sustainability as well as as climate and food security aligns with the UAE’s declaration of 2023 as the “Year of Sustainability.” It also comes at a time of global interest in finding effective solutions to climate change and in line with the significant efforts led by the UAE in this field, including hosting the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28).

Judge Abdelsalam explained that the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which is organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center, also serves as a platform to celebrate and honor leading cultural and literary figures as well as the most influential figures in the history of thought and culture. He commended the choice of the 14th-century Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun as the “principal figure” of this edition and shedding light on his efforts through historical, philosophical, and literary discussions focusing on his works and achievements.

The Secretary-General also emphasized that the Muslim Council of Elders’ participation, for the fifth consecutive time, participation will include over 165 publications in 5 different languages which address various important intellectual issues, in addition to a number of activities and events that discuss dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, youth, peacebuilding, humanity, and environmental protection. This comes in line with the Council’s message, led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, which is aimed at promoting dialogue and spreading tolerance and peace globally as well as building bridges of cooperation with people of all backgrounds.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar expresses its utmost solidarity with Rohingya Muslims affected by Cyclone Mocha, which has resulted in the death and displacement of hundreds of people and the destruction of dozens of homes in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

The Council urges the international community to take urgent action to provide relief to those affected by the cyclone which has destroyed buildings, flooded streets, and disrupted communications in a significant part of Rakhine State, where thousands of Rohingya Muslims reside in refugee camps in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Cultural diversity among people is the pathway to the integration and prosperity of humanity, as culture and knowledge acquisition cultivate wisdom and understanding, shaping the character of individuals. Additionally, it establishes an objective framework for engaging with others, leading individuals to contribute to the well-being of their nations along with promoting global peace and prosperity.

It is important to recognize that cultural diversity is fundamental in bolstering intellectual resilience and fostering dialogue with others since it serves as a cornerstone for nation-building and the development of civilizations. The Muslim Council of Elders endeavors to spread and encourage diversity through its publishing arm, ‘Dar Al Hokama Publishing’ through multi-lingual publications that aim to rectify misconceptions, combat all forms of extremism, hatred, discrimination, and Islamophobia, while promoting values of dialogue and tolerance.

Embracing diversity and acknowledging the significance of dialogue, the Muslim Council of Elders has spearheaded seven rounds of dialogue between the East and the West in collaboration with Al-Azhar, the Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches, and the Church of England. The most recent event was the Bahrain Dialogue Forum which took place in 2022.

On the occasion of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the Muslim Council of Elders urges all intellectuals, publishers, and decision-makers to intensify their efforts in promoting all cultures and celebrating their diversity, as well as fostering dialogue. By doing so, we can collectively seek effective solutions to the various challenges facing our world today.

The Muslim Council of Elders is set to take part at the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Book Fair from 22 until the 28 May 2023. The participation will include over 165 publications in 5 different languages which address the various important intellectual issues, in addition to a number of activities and events that discuss dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, youth, peacebuilding, humanity, and environmental protection.

As part of its extensive book collection on display, the Council’s stand at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is set to feature ‘Love in the Holy Quran’ by Council member His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed of Jordan along with ‘The Pope and the Grand Imam: A Thorny Path’ by the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam along with ‘Fatwa and Responsibilities’ by Dr. Ahmed Mubid Abdulkareem and ‘Methodology of Thinking in Faith’ by Imad Khafaji as well as ‘Islam, the West and Tolerance: Conceiving Coexistence’ by Dr. Aaron Tyler, Professor of International Relations and Global Affairs at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

The Council’s stand will also feature 11 publications by the Chairman of the Council His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar which highlight Islam’s tolerant teachings as well as its role in establishing the values of coexistence, peace, and human fraternity among humanity. Notable among these is the three-volume ‘Al Qawl Al Tayeb’ along with ‘Elements of Islam,’ ‘In the Al-Azhar Methodology,’ ‘In the Terminology of Theology and Sufism,’ ‘Insights into the Thought of Imam Al-Ash’ari,’ ‘Heritage and Renewal: Discussions and Responses,’ ‘The People of Sunnah and Jama’ah,’ ‘A Discourse on Principles and Objectives,’ ‘Indeed, Religion is Ease,’ ‘Etiquettes and Values,’ and ‘From My Old Notebooks.’

Likewise, in continuation of its general mission, the Council is set to present several new publications by Dar Al-Hokama Publishing, among them; ‘Basis of Understanding from Thought and Language’ by His Eminence Dr. Mustapha Benhamza, member of the Muslim Council of Elders and President of the Ulema Council of Oujda in Morocco, ‘The Sunnah and Its Role in Establishing Legal Rulings’ by Mohammed Saad Jalal, ‘Similarity in the Structure of Stories in the Noble Qur’an’ by Abdulghani Awad Al-Rajhi, ‘Modern Logic’ by Ali Mohammed Jabr and ‘Facilitating Logical Rules: Explanation of Al-Risala Al-Shamsiya’ and ‘Lectures on Monotheism, Creed, and Modern Thought’ by Mohammed Shamsuddin Ibrahim.

Moreover, believing in the importance of translation as a bridge between civilizations in constructive communication, the Council continues its efforts in translating purposeful books to promote peace with books such as ‘Religious Tolerance in World Religions’ by Jacob Neusner and Bruce Chilton, and ‘Countering Islamophobia in Europe’ by a number of researchers from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom; Ian Law, Amina Easat-Daas, Arzu Merali and Salman Sayyid.

The Council is also set to organize a series of seminars and discussion panels at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair that will discuss issues of coexistence, citizenship, promoting social peace, the role of youth in global peacebuilding, climate change, and environmental protection. The seminars will be delivered by various thinkers, scholars, experts, and religious figures.

The participation at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023 is part of His Eminence the Grand Imam’s vision of promoting dialogue and spreading tolerance and peace globally as well as building bridges of cooperation with people of all backgrounds.

The Council’s stand at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023 can be found at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (Hall 10, Stand 10D17).

The Muslim Council of Elders’ social media pages will broadcast a total of 5 programs during the holy month of Ramadan which falls in line with the Council’s strategy to employ all avenues to promote the values of dialogue, peace, and coexistence. 

Most prominent among these programs is ‘Al-Imam Al-Tayeb’ by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. The program covers a variety of topics relevant to women, their status within Islamic culture, and how Islam values female empowerment. A number of television outlets in the Arab and Islamic worlds will also air the program.

‘Values of Humanity with the Elders’ is a program presented by members of the Muslim Council of Elders that bring to light various fundamental qualities outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity. These include tolerance, acceptance of the other, forgiveness, coexistence, citizenship, respect, mercy, cooperation, wisdom, justice, and other virtues.

‘With the Peacemakers’ is a program presented by members of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, an initiative by the Muslim Council of Elders. It focuses on a number of global examples that have enabled people to achieve peace in their societies. This coincides with the launch of the second edition of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, which will be held in Geneva next July.

‘Crescent of Coexistence’ discusses certain human values that can be rediscovered during the holy month of Ramadan. It includes a number of episodes such as, ‘Ramadan and Community Peace’, ‘Ramadan the Month of Giving’, ‘Ramadan the Month of Acquaintance’, ‘Faith and Reckoning’ ‘Temporary Righteousness: Do we understand Ramadan well?’.

The program ‘Think About Your Fasting’ discusses the rationale behind the legitimacy of fasting, its most valuable secrets, the psychological and physiological impact it has on a person, the benefits that one can attain from fasting, and the thirty-day school of fasting.

All programs can be streamed on the Muslim Council of Elders’ social media pages through the following links: 

https://www.muslim-elders.com/ar

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Under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders extends its sincere congratulations to the Arab and Muslim worlds for the holy month of the Month. May Allah make this occasion a blessing on the Arab and Muslim worlds as well bringing love and peace to the entire world.

The Council calls on Muslims around the world to use the holy month of Ramadan to achieve noble deeds and participate in prayer while renewing love, tolerance, and respect. It also encourages charity to the needy and brings happiness to those less fortunate as the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) was the most generous of men; he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan.

The Council wishes that the holy month will also be a time of peace and prosperity on the Islamic world and humanity as a whole and that it brings security and stability to all people.

Under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders expresses its concerns at the rising gang violence in Haiti which led to the killing and kidnapping of hundreds of innocent civilians.

The Council calls on the international community to protect innocent civilians in Haiti which is currently witnessing its worst humanitarian and human rights crises in decades. It points to the need to support the Haitian people in exercising their fundamental rights, accessing essential services, and living normal lives free from the threat of kidnapping, rape, or murder.