NEWS

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirms that hate speech, intolerance, and discrimination constitute some of the most serious challenges facing societies, as they lead to division and fragmentation, fuel conflicts, and undermine the values of coexistence, tolerance, and mutual respect.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, observed annually on June 18, the Muslim Council of Elders states that Islam, as well as all divine religions, call for safeguarding human dignity, respecting diversity, and fostering understanding among peoples and cultures, while rejecting all forms of hatred, racism, and exclusion.

The Muslim Council of Elders warns of the growing spread of hate speech across digital platforms and social media, often accompanied by misinformation, distortion, and incitement campaigns. It calls for concerted efforts to strengthen ethical responsibility in the digital sphere and to develop legislative, educational, and media frameworks that contribute to curbing this phenomenon and protecting societies from its harmful consequences.

The Muslim Council of Elders has been making extensive efforts to counter hate speech and extremism through a range of leading initiatives. Foremost among these are East–West dialogue, International Peace Convoys, the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, student dialogue programs for human fraternity, and the “100 Questions” project. In addition, the Council organizes numerous conferences and issues a wide range of publications focused on confronting extremist ideologies, correcting misconceptions, promoting a culture of dialogue, understanding, coexistence, tolerance, and peace, and raising awareness about the dangers of rhetoric that incites or justifies hatred.

The Muslim Council of Elders further emphasizes that the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and the late His Holiness Pope Francis, former head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019, represents an important human reference point in countering hate speech, extremism, and intolerance. It also reinforces the values of citizenship, coexistence, solidarity, respect for others, and cooperation for the good of humanity. The document affirms that religions have never been a cause of wars and conflicts, nor a source of hatred, hostility, or extremism, and calls for ending the misuse of religion in inciting violence, hatred, and blind fanaticism, while working together to promote the values of tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its sincere congratulations to the Arab and Islamic nations, as well as to Muslims around the world, on the occasion of the New Hijri Year 1448 AH. The Council prays to Almighty Allah to return this blessed occasion to all humanity with goodness, prosperity, and blessings, and to make it a year marked by greater security, peace, stability, and compassion.

The Council affirms that the noble Prophetic Hijrah will always remain a profound spiritual and human milestone in the history of the Muslim nation. It embodies great lessons in patience, perseverance, love of one’s homeland, and reliance on Allah while taking practical means. It also reflects the foundations of building a society rooted in the values of mercy, justice, and fraternity. Furthermore, it serves as an inspiring model for moving from challenges to opportunities for building, progress, and hope, while reinforcing the values of solidarity, cooperation, and coexistence.

On this blessed occasion, the Muslim Council of Elders calls for drawing inspiration from the meanings of the Prophetic Hijrah in our contemporary reality, strengthening the values of tolerance and human fraternity, and intensifying joint efforts to promote peace, reinforce stability, and uphold dignity. The Council prays to Almighty Allah to make this new Hijri year a year of goodness, security, and prosperity for the Arab and Islamic nations and for all humanity.

On the International Day Against Child Labour – Muslim Council of Elders: Providing Education, Care, and a Dignified Life for Children Is the Cornerstone of Building Stable and Prosperous Societies

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that protecting children from economic exploitation and all forms of abuse is a shared moral and humanitarian responsibility. It requires the concerted efforts of governments, international organizations, and local communities to ensure that all children enjoy their fundamental rights to education, care, protection, and healthy development in a safe and dignified environment.

In a statement on the International Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on 12 June, the Council emphasized that child labour is not only a violation of children’s rights and human dignity, but also deprives millions of children around the world of opportunities for education and personal development. It further exposes them to physical, psychological, and social risks, the consequences of which may extend into their future and the future of their communities.

The Council noted that the tolerant teachings of Islam, along with all divine religions and international conventions and laws, call for safeguarding human dignity and ensuring the protection and care of children. These frameworks emphasize the importance of providing a suitable environment for children’s upbringing, education, and development, enabling them to contribute positively to their societies and nations. The Council also called for strengthening international efforts aimed at eliminating child labour and addressing its underlying economic and social causes, thereby contributing to a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for coming generations.

The Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, alongside the late Pope Francis, former Pontiff of the Catholic Church, affirms that children’s fundamental rights—to family upbringing, nutrition, education, and care—are both a duty and a moral responsibility shared by families and society. These rights must be guaranteed, protected, and never denied to any child, anywhere. Any practice that undermines children’s dignity or violates their rights must be firmly condemned.

The Muslim Council of Elders also reiterates that true investment in the future of humanity begins with protecting and empowering children. Providing them with education, care, and a dignified life is the cornerstone of building stable and prosperous societies grounded in security, peace, and sustainable development.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has affirmed that protecting the environment and preserving natural resources are shared moral and humanitarian responsibilities that require concerted international efforts to address growing environmental challenges and secure a more sustainable future for generations to come.

In a statement marking World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, the Muslim Council of Elders emphasized that Islam, along with all divine laws, calls for the stewardship and flourishing of the Earth and forbids corruption and destruction within it. These teachings promote the values of moderation and responsibility in the use of natural resources, helping to achieve a balance between the demands of development and the preservation of the environment.
The statement highlighted the importance of raising environmental awareness and supporting initiatives aimed at tackling climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. It stressed that environmental protection is no longer merely a local or regional concern, but a global responsibility that requires effective international cooperation, sustainable partnerships, and collective action at every level.

The Muslim Council of Elders has made significant efforts to strengthen the role of religious leaders and faith communities in addressing global challenges, particularly environmental and climate-related issues. In this regard, the Council organized the Global Faith Leaders’ Summit on Climate Action. The summit resulted in the issuance of the Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence”, also known as “The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28”. The statement was endorsed by more than 30 prominent religious leaders from around the world, including His Eminence Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis.

The Council also organized the Faith Pavilion during COP28 in the United Arab Emirates and COP29 in the Republic of Azerbaijan—the first initiative of its kind in the history of the UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs). The pavilion helped highlight the vital role of religions and ethical values in supporting international efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change.

The Muslim Council of Elders renews its affirmation that caring for the environment and safeguarding its natural resources are integral to humanity’s responsibility toward itself, its communities, and future generations. The Council calls for continued collective action to protect our planet and preserve the future of humankind.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has affirmed that fostering a culture of living together in peace is among the most essential means of building stable, cohesive societies capable of confronting hate speech, intolerance, and violence. The Council emphasized that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but rather a comprehensive framework grounded in mutual respect, the preservation of human dignity, and the promotion of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence.

In a statement issued on the International Day of Living Together in Peace, observed annually on May 16, the Council stressed that the world is now in urgent need of a comprehensive strategy to promote a culture of understanding and rapprochement among peoples, religions, and cultures. It also underscored the importance of advancing the values of human fraternity, solidarity, and cooperation, particularly in light of the ongoing crises, wars, and conflicts worldwide, as well as the rising tide of hate speech, racism, and extremism—trends that threaten societal security and stability and undermine prospects for peace and sustainable development.

The Council further noted that Islam, along with all divine religions, seeks to instill the values of mercy, peace, and mutual understanding among humanity. It called on religious, educational, media, and cultural institutions to fulfill their responsibilities in fostering a human-centered awareness that promotes acceptance of others and respect for diversity, while countering attempts to sow division and discord. The Council affirmed that genuine investment in the future of humanity begins with nurturing individuals who are capable of positive coexistence and contributing to the advancement of peace.

Since its establishment in Abu Dhabi in 2014, the Muslim Council of Elders has played a pivotal role in promoting peace and advancing the values of dialogue, tolerance, fraternity, mutual understanding, and rapprochement among religions and cultures. This has been achieved through pioneering initiatives such as “East–West Dialogue” and the “International Peace Convoys,” which culminated in the historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019. In addition, the Council has launched numerous programs and initiatives, most notably the “Emerging Peacemakers Forum” and the “Human Fraternity Fellowship,” alongside intellectual publications and international conferences that contribute to strengthening dialogue, coexistence, and citizenship, while countering extremist ideologies and hate speech.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received the Grand Mufti of Poland, affirming Al-Azhar and the Council’s commitment to strengthening ties with Muslim communities around the world, in a manner that promotes the values of citizenship, coexistence, and mutual respect.

For his part, the Grand Mufti of Poland emphasized the Polish Fatwa Council’s adherence to Al-Azhar’s enlightened and moderate approach, expressing his nation’s aspiration to enhance cooperation in order to advance a balanced religious discourse that promotes the values of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair hosted a cultural seminar titled “The 100 Questions Project in Methodology, Creed, and Sharia,” by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research, in the presence of scholars, intellectuals, and individuals engaged in intellectual and religious affairs.

The seminar presented an intellectual and scholarly examination of the book “The 100 Questions Project in Methodology, Creed, and Sharia,” which represents the outcome of a collaborative academic effort between Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders. The work aims to provide well-grounded and balanced answers to a number of contemporary intellectual and theological questions and misconceptions raised within Muslim societies today, contributing to the promotion of sound religious awareness, the entrenchment of moderation and balance, and the confrontation of hate speech and extremist ideologies.

Dr. Samir Boudinar explained that the book draws upon a diverse range of scholarly and classical sources, including the Holy Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah, as well as works of theological debate, scholarly discourse, and refutation that have historically contributed to shaping doctrinal positions and reinforcing ethical and human values within Islamic civilization. He noted that the phenomena of misconceptions, extremism, hatred, and excess are not confined to Islamic culture alone, but rather constitute a global challenge affecting various cultures and societies.

The seminar also reviewed the book’s key themes, including methodological approaches to understanding religion, the relationship between reason and revelation, the principles governing legal opinions (fatwas) and the higher objectives of Sharia, and the role of creed in shaping human behavior. It further addressed issues such as excommunicatio, the concept of the caliphate, and other contemporary intellectual challenges, underscoring the importance of developing a balanced religious discourse that confronts extremism and promotes the values of peace and coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates, is participating at the 31st Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair, which runs until 10 May 2026. The pavilion showcases more than 275 publications in five languages, alongside a diverse program of seminars and cultural and intellectual events aimed at promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Rabat International Book Fair hosted a seminar titled “Toward a Philosophy for the Age of Wisdom: Reflections on Science, Revelation, and Philosophy,” featuring Dr. Mustafa Hijazi and moderated by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research, and was attended by a group of intellectuals, academics, and media professionals.

The seminar offered an in-depth intellectual reading of Dr. Mustafa Hijazi’s book “Seizing the Wind: Reflections on Science, Revelation, and Philosophy,” one of the latest 2026 publications by Al-Hokama Publishing. The work presents a critical vision of the trajectory of human civilization and explores the possibility of founding a new era grounded in wisdom, regarded as the missing link in a world rapidly advancing toward material and technological superiority at the expense of meaning and humanity.

Dr. Mustafa Hijazi explained that the book serves as an intellectual testimony to the major transformations experienced by humanity across the ages. It traces the evolution of both cosmic and human concepts from prehistoric times through the agricultural, industrial, and information eras, and into the age of artificial intelligence. He cautioned against the erosion of human meaning and the loss of intellectual freedom amid the dominance of technology and the accelerating pace of epistemic change.

Hijazi also emphasized that overcoming the current civilizational crisis requires restoring centrality to the questions of meaning and truth, beginning anew with the fundamental question of “why.” Such a reorientation, he noted, would contribute to redefining the relationship between humanity and science, education, society, the economy, and the media. He stressed that building an “Age of Wisdom” can only be achieved through the integration of revelation, philosophy, and human knowledge—moving beyond the false dichotomy between reason and meaning.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the 31st Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair, which runs until 10 May 2026. The pavilion showcases more than 275 publications in five languages, alongside a diverse program of seminars and cultural and intellectual events aimed at promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

As part of its commitment to strengthening international efforts to promote dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, peace, and human fraternity, the Muslim Council of Elders is participating, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates, at the 31st edition of the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat 2026. The Fair will take place from 30 April through May 10. The Council’s pavilion is held under the patronage and support of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, who has exerted significant efforts to promote and reinforce tolerance and coexistence at the local, regional, and international levels, and who consistently works to present the UAE model of tolerance and acceptance of others to the world as a successful and influential example across all spheres.

The pavilion participating in the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat features over 275 authored works and publications in five languages, including 25 new titles that address key contemporary intellectual issues and contribute to countering extremist ideology and correcting misconceptions. It also includes more than 20 publications by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, highlighting the tolerance of Islam and the richness of its intellectual and philosophical heritage. In addition, the pavilion showcases a selection of intellectual works by members of the Council and a distinguished group of thinkers and researchers, alongside a curated collection of translated books and select publications issued by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence.

His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary‑General of the Muslim Council of Elders, stated that the Council’s participation in the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat reflects its willingness to expand the horizons of cultural and intellectual dialogue and to strengthen its global humanitarian presence. He emphasized that the Rabat Fair represents a comprehensive cultural and civilizational gathering and an important platform for exchanging ideas and enhancing dialogue among cultures, in line with the Council’s mission to build bridges of understanding and communication. He further noted the Council’s commitment to presenting well‑grounded intellectual content that contributes to confronting hate speech and extremist thought, promotes the values of coexistence and tolerance, and highlights the civilizational image of Islam based on dialogue, coexistence, and mutual respect.

For her part, Her Excellency Afra Al Sabri, Director General of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, affirmed that cooperation with the Muslim Council of Elders in this international cultural event reflects the UAE’s commitment to promoting and strengthening the values of tolerance and coexistence globally. She added that the joint participation is an important platform for showcasing the UAE’s pioneering experience in translating human values into a practical and exemplary reality, and that the pavilion embodies the UAE’s global role in raising awareness and building bridges of communication among cultures.

Al Sabri also praised the cooperation between the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and the Muslim Council of Elders in this field, affirming that it comes as part of a long series of collaboration and partnership aimed at strengthening human values at the local and global levels.

The Council’s pavilion will also feature a selection of prominent titles, including “Al‑Qawl Al‑Tayeb,” “From My Old Notebooks,” and “Ethics and Values” by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar; “Love in the Holy Qur’an” by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad Al‑Hashemi, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders; “The Pope and the Grand Imam: The Thorny Path” by Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary‑General of the Muslim Council of Elders; “Basis of Understanding from Thought and Language” by Dr. Mustapha Benhamza, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders; and the book “100 Questions on Methodology, Creed, and Sharia,” supervised and prefaced by Professor Dr. Nazir Ayyad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The book brings together 100 questions accompanied by calm, scholarly responses addressing the most prominent doubts exploited by extremist groups to incite discord, mislead youth, and cast uncertainty on Muslims’ understanding of their faith.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ participation in the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat stems from its mission to promote peace, entrench the values of dialogue and coexistence, and build bridges of cooperation among people of different races and beliefs. The Council’s pavilion (No. B52) is located in Hall B.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that empowering girls in information and communications technology (ICT) is a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development and building more balanced and equitable societies, stressing the importance of providing girls with equal access to education and training in modern technological fields.

In a statement issued on the occasion of International Girls in ICT Day, the Muslim Council of Elders said that investing in girls’ capabilities and expanding their participation in the technology sector helps unlock promising creative potential and strengthens their role in driving digital transformation and shaping the future, thereby advancing innovation and helping address rapidly evolving global challenges.

The statement noted that empowering girls in this field extends beyond technical skills alone to include fostering self-confidence and strengthening women’s presence in positions of influence and decision-making. It emphasized that achieving equality in educational and professional opportunities is a shared responsibility that requires coordinated international, institutional, and societal efforts.

The Muslim Council of Elders called for the launch of quality initiatives and specialized training programs aimed at equipping girls with skills in technology and artificial intelligence, while also creating supportive and innovation-friendly environments that enable girls to play an active role in building a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and contributing to a more prosperous and sustainable future.

The Muslim Council of Elders places great importance on raising awareness about the need to support and empower girls in the fields of science and technology, based on its belief that such empowerment represents a strategic investment in the future of humanity and reflects a moral and humanitarian commitment to building a more just and inclusive world founded on the values of cooperation, innovation, and peace.