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His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to attend the opening of the Arab Media Summit, scheduled from May 26 to 28, 2025. His Eminence’s participation follows an official invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

The Grand Imam and his travelling delegation, including His Eminence Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt; were received upon their arrival by His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs in the United Arab Emirates; His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders; and His Excellency Hossam Hussein Ismail, Consul-General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Dubai.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders is set to deliver the keynote address at the Arab Media Summit which will emphasize the vital role of the media in addressing contemporary global challenges.

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The Muslim Council of Elders is set to participate in the 3rd International Conference on Combating Islamophobia, themed “Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas,” scheduled for May 26–27, 2025, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference, organized by the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre (BIMC), the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), and the Baku Initiative Group, in collaboration with various international partners will convene global scholars, religious leaders, and policymakers to address the pressing issue of Islamophobia around the world.

Featuring experts from nearly 40 countries, the conference will feature a diverse array of sessions addressing critical facets of Islamophobia, with the aim of fostering comprehensive and practical discussions as well as actionable strategies to counter hate crimes, systemic discrimination, and media biases targeting Muslims and Muslim-majority countries. The conference will also feature the launch of an observatory platform (https://anti-muslimhatred.com) to monitor global Islamophobia trends and the presentation of a comprehensive report to guide international organizations in their efforts. 

Representing the Muslim Council of Elders, Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research and a member of the Council’s Executive Office, will participate in the session titled “Youth Voices for Inclusion: Tackling Prejudice and Misconceptions” on Tuesday May 27. Dr. Boudinar will deliver a presentation titled “Creating More Opportunities to Address Islamophobia: The Role of Youth in Institutions” which will highlight the critical role of youth in fostering inclusivity, challenging stereotypes, and promoting interfaith dialogue to counter Islamophobia.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ participation underscores its commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding globally while aiming to contribute towards actionable strategies that address the rising challenges of hate in general and Islamophobia in particular.

His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, visits the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to participate in the opening of the Arab Media Summit, which will be held from May 26 to 28.

His Eminence is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the summit, where he will highlight the crucial role that media can play in addressing contemporary global challenges.

Crown Prince of Fujairah: Al-Azhar is Our Foremost Religious, Spiritual, and Moral Authority

His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, on Wednesday at Al-Azhar in Cairo.

The Grand Imam warmly welcomed the Crown Prince and his accompanying delegation, emphasizing the deep-rooted ties between Al-Azhar and the United Arab Emirates under the leadership of his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. His Eminence commended the Emirate of Fujairah for its efforts in promoting the Arabic language and preserving traditional Arab arts such as calligraphy and poetry.

For his part, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi expressed his great honor and pleasure in meeting the Grand Imam, praising His Eminence’s pivotal role in spreading the true teachings of Islam, promoting a culture of tolerance, dialogue, and human fraternity, and fostering peaceful coexistence among people of all backgrounds. The Crown Prince stated, “We always look forward to your pioneering role in advancing global peace. Al-Azhar is our foremost religious, moral, and spiritual authority, and Your Eminence holds a special place in the hearts of the leadership and people of the United Arab Emirates.”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, has received Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, at the Vatican.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam conveyed the congratulations of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, along with the Council’s members, to Pope Leo XIV on his inaugration as head of the Catholic Church. He affirmed that the Pope’s messages emphasizing peace, love, unity, combating hate speech and violence, ending wars and conflicts, and supporting the marginalized and disenfranchised have resonated positively with advocates of peace and goodwill worldwide. Judge Abdelsalam noted that the global community looks to religious leaders to strengthen peace, dialogue, and efforts to resolve conflicts.

For his part, Pope Leo XIV expressed his appreciation for the Muslim Council of Elders’ participation in the official papal inauguration and for the congratulatory phone call from His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb following his election. Pope Leo XIV underscored his commitment to continuing collaborative efforts to build bridges of dialogue, promote coexistence, tolerance, and human fraternity.

Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders: Lebanon is dear to every Arab and Muslim; we pray that it may be blessed with peace and security

Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the Lebanese President affirm the importance of the historic Document on Human Fraternity in promoting the values of citizenship

His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received today, Monday, His Excellency President Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon, to discuss ways of enhancing mutual cooperation and addressing the challenges facing the region.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar warmly welcomed the Lebanese President and his accompanying delegation. He affirmed that “Lebanon holds a special place in the heart of every Arab and Muslim. We follow its developments closely and fully recognize the difficult circumstances you are facing. We pray that God grants you success in unifying the Lebanese people, liberating Lebanese lands, and preserving national unity.” His Eminence further praised Lebanon’s rich diversity and the harmony among its religious communities.

His Excellency President Aoun, for his part, expressed his delight at making his first visit to Al-Azhar, voicing his appreciation for the Grand Imam’s leadership. “We closely follow your vision and your efforts to serve humanity and combat extremism. The world today is in dire need of wise voices like yours,” the President remarked.

During the meeting, His Excellency President Aoun extended an official invitation to His Eminence the Grand Imam, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to visit Lebanon and to oversee the reopening of the Azhar Institute in Beirut, which had suspended its operations due to the country’s difficult circumstances. The Grand Imam graciously accepted the invitation and affirmed his intention to visit Lebanon at the earliest opportunity. He also confirmed Al-Azhar’s readiness to reopen the Beirut-based institute, supplying it with top-tier scholars and educators, as well as authentic Azhar curricula and resources. 

The conversation also highlighted the significance of the historic Document on Human Fraternity, signed by the Grand Imam, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the late Pope Francis. Both sides emphasized the practical steps Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders have taken to engage with religious and cultural institutions worldwide. They also underscored the importance of a series of documents issued by Al-Azhar that have advanced the principle of “full citizenship” and rejected the divisive concept of “minorities.”

The Muslim Council of Elders participated in the official inauguration ceremony of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as Head of the Catholic Church, which took place on Sunday in Saint Peter’s Square at Vatican City.

On behalf of His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, attended the inauguration. During the ceremony, he conveyed the Council’s heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his formal inauguration as the 267th Pontiff of the Catholic Church.

Judge Abdelsalam noted that the messages conveyed by Pope Leo XIV since his election on 8 May reflect his strong commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue and continuing the path of fraternity and coexistence. This was clearly evident in the Pope’s first audience with the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders last Monday—marking the first Islamic delegation received by the Pontiff following his election—as well as in the telephone call that took place between His Holiness and His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. During that call, the world’s two foremost religious leaders affirmed their shared resolve to work together in advancing the values of peace, fraternity, and coexistence; defending the rights of the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed; and striving to end the many conflicts and crises facing our world today—particularly in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and elsewhere.

The ceremony took place in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, marking the official inauguration of Pope Leo XIV as the successor to the late Pope Francis, who left behind a profound humanitarian legacy, crowned by the signing of the historic Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Widely regarded as one of the most important declarations in modern history, the Document calls for the promotion of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity among all people, regardless of their differences and diversity.

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Participates in Launch of Groundbreaking International Document to Support the Protection of the Elderly and Preserve Their Dignity

In the first official activity of the Vatican under the leadership of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Pontifical Academy for Life, and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) jointly launched a landmark charter dedicated to supporting and safeguarding the rights and dignity of older persons. The initiative reflects a unified vision rooted in the urgent need to intensify joint efforts in empowering older adults, affirming their right to independence and full participation in society, and protecting them from all forms of discrimination, abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

The document was signed by His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders; His Eminence Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life; and Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of AARP. It calls for enabling mechanisms that allow older persons to make informed choices for themselves and their families, and to have access to high-quality healthcare that is tailored to their individual needs and respects their personal preferences.

His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam stated that the charter seeks to promote care and respect for the elderly, recognizing them as the memory keepers of human societies and custodians of cultural identity and accumulated experience. He emphasized that passing on wisdom and knowledge across generations strengthens societal resilience in times of crisis and lays the foundation for a balanced future. He also affirmed that the Muslim Council of Elders—headquartered in Abu Dhabi—will work to actively support and advance the values and principles set forth in this significant document.

As the first initiative of its kind in the field of elder care, the charter highlights the critical role of families in supporting older persons and affirms the shared moral and social responsibility of institutions, governments, and communities to promote the long-term well-being and prosperity of all age groups. It calls on global leaders, international organizations, and civil society institutions to engage with and support national policymakers in adopting more effective policies and practices that enhance the welfare of aging populations and contribute to the dignity and well-being of all, especially the elderly.

The signatories agreed to work together to translate the charter’s values and principles into tangible action by advocating for a world where older persons can live with dignity and purpose. They committed to strengthening efforts that promote scientific research, public policy, and interventions that enable older adults to live longer, healthier lives; counter age-based discrimination in all its forms; and push for the adoption of binding international legislation to protect the rights and dignity of older persons. The signatories also proposed the establishment of a dedicated international body or agency to champion the objectives outlined in the charter and to lay the foundations for a global framework that ushers in a new era in which older persons everywhere can live with dignity in flourishing communities.

The Secretary-General also took part in a high-level global symposium at the Vatican titled “The Memory: Addressing the Opportunities and Challenges of an Aging Global Population,” held from May 9 to 10. The event explored the relationship between memory and human dignity and addressed both the opportunities and challenges posed by global population aging. The symposium gathered prominent international officials, global leaders, and senior religious figures from around the world.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, emphasized the urgent need to strengthen international efforts to promote the values of coexistence, tolerance, and peace. It called for an end to the wars and conflicts afflicting the world today and urged the adoption of a clear, united strategy to combat hate speech, violence, and Islamophobia—core challenges that must be addressed to ensure the progress and prosperity of nations and societies.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day of Living Together in Peace, the Council affirmed that the teachings of Islam call for respect for others and the preservation of human dignity, regardless of race, color, or religion. God Almighty says: “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may [get to] know one another” [Qur’an, 49: 13]. Promoting peace, the Council noted, is a deeply rooted Islamic principle—established as a foundational ethic of the Muslim Ummah and intimately tied to the spiritual and social fabric of Islamic life.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, stressed that the world today is in dire need of prioritizing reason, dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace in the face of escalating wars, growing polarization, and the alarming rise in hate speech, fanaticism, and Islamophobia. He stated that on the International Day of Living Together in Peace, we must reaffirm our collective commitment to justice, coexistence, equality, and respect for diversity, recognizing human dignity as the cornerstone of all development and progress. Peace, he said, is the best and only path to building a promising future for the coming generations—one marked by dignity, stability, and free from sectarian, racial, or cultural divisions.

Since its inception, the Muslim Council of Elders has played a pivotal role in advancing the values of tolerance, fraternity, and mutual understanding among people of different faiths and cultures. The Council has launched impactful initiatives and led global conversations—most notably the East–West dialogues, culminating in the historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and the late Pope Francis, Former Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Among its other key programs are the “Emerging Peacemakers Forum,” the “Human Fraternity Fellowship Program,” and global Peace Convoys, which have traveled the world promoting mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. The Council has also organized numerous international conferences addressing critical issues related to global peace, coexistence, diversity, and the promotion of dialogue, peace, full citizenship, and human fraternity.

The Muslim Council of Elders participated in the G20 Interfaith Forum, held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on May 13–14. The event coincided with the observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week.

The Council took part in the Forum’s Opening Plenary Session, titled “The African Union at the G20 Summit: The Role of Africa’s Faith Communities to Advance G20 Purposes in Africa.” During the session, Mr. Mohamed Bahr, Director of Strategic Planning at the Muslim Council of Elders, affirmed the Council’s belief in the vital and transformative role of faith communities in Africa in advancing both global and continental priorities. He highlighted the impact of trusted religious institutions in addressing poverty, inequality, and conflict, as well as the critical role of African faith leaders in areas such as food security, climate action, and migration.

Mr. Bahr also noted the Council’s efforts to advance peace in Africa and uphold the values of dialogue, coexistence, and peace through several key initiatives. These include the Peace Convoys, the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, and the practical implementation of the principles of the historic Document on Human Fraternity. He emphasized that the core values upheld by religious institutions—justice, compassion, care, and solidarity—align directly with the priorities of the G20, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

In the Forum’s third plenary session, titled “Sustainable Development in a World in Turmoil: Africa’s Contributions, Africa’s Needs,” the Council’s intervention focused on Africa’s contributions to sustainable development, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable financing, debt relief, and inclusive policies that empower women and youth. The Council called on faith leaders to pursue equitable solutions and collaborative responses to pressing humanitarian challenges. It also highlighted the Council’s initiatives aimed at enhancing the role of faith leaders in addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable development.

Among these initiatives is the launch of the first-ever Faith Pavilion at COP28, which unified the voices of faith leaders in addressing the climate crisis. The Council also announced its new initiative, “Religions for Peace and Development,” reaffirming its commitment to interfaith collaboration as a means of fostering global resilience and prosperity.

The G20 Interfaith Forum in Addis Ababa was held in celebration of the African Union’s membership in the G20. The forum focused on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025, through the contributions of Africa’s faith communities. The event brought together faith leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives to advance dialogue and develop actionable solutions for peace, sustainability, and social justice.