NEWS

UN Secretary-General Commends Efforts of Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, in Promoting Peace, Understanding, and Interfaith Dialogue

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has received a letter from His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in which he expressed his gratitude to His Eminence for welcoming him at Al-Azhar Headquarters and honoring him with the trophy of the Muslim Council of Elders, during his visit to Egypt on March 24.

In his message to His Eminence the Grand Imam, the UN Secretary-General noted, “Allow me to reiterate my appreciation for our meeting and our discussions on promoting peace, understanding, and interfaith dialogue. I would also like to thank you for your steadfast efforts in fostering unity among various communities while advocating for tolerance and compassion.”

His Eminence, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received the Secretary-General of the United Nations last month at Al-Azhar Headquarters, praising his courageous stances in advocating for Palestinian rights and supporting justice and human rights in Gaza, as well as his clear positions on warning the world of the dangers of this aggression, and the significant efforts made by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).

The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi has hosted the ‘Convening of Champions’ as part of the Ethics Education Fellowship Program which is co-hosted by the Muslim Council of Elders, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, UNESCO, Arigatou International, KAICIID International Dialogue Centre and the Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace with participation from the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Education. The event is set to take place from 23 to 25 April 2024 and is composed of a two-day technical discussion, sharing and development of collaborative plans, followed by a one-day high-level segment.  

The Ethics Education Fellowship Program was launched with the engagement of the Ministries of Education of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Mauritius, Nepal and Seychelles as a unique collaborative effort to promote Ethics Education to contribute to global citizenship and building. Through the Ethics Education Fellowship Program 324 teachers were trained in its first phase, successfully reaching 8,234 children across all six participating countries, contributing to the strengthening of social cohesion.

The meeting in Abu Dhabi is a milestone in the Ethics Education Fellowship collaboration and an opportunity to amplify its importance and the gains made so far. It will provide a platform to discuss the critical need to prioritize and invest in Ethics Education, share the results of the implementation in the six countries, lessons learned, and provide critical recommendations to different stakeholders. The meeting will be composed of two-day technical discussions and planning, followed by a High-Level segment. The High-Level meeting aims to reflect on the critical role Ethics Education plays in the current context and how it can address the needs of children to support their holistic well-being. The technical meetings will provide the opportunity for fellows, partners and other stakeholders to share experiences and results, discuss challenges and opportunities and explore the scalability and sustainability of their national Ethics Education programs as well as collaborations.

The Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders, H.E. Judge Abdelsalam and H.E. Dr. Khalid Al Ghaith, Secretary General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity remarked during the meeting’s opening their delighted at welcoming participants to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a beacon of tolerance and acceptance which hosted the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity, a landmark agreement co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The pair expressed their hope that this gathering of elite educational and intellectual leaders as well as administrative leaders in the field of education from various countries will inspire all those involved in education and curriculum development worldwide to work towards instilling ethical and humanitarian values in children and building generations capable of enhancing peaceful coexistence, accepting others, and respecting cultural, religious, and social diversity.

Likewise, Scheherazade Feddal, Senior Education Program Specialist at UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, said, “Education is transformative which can nurture relations between people, in today’s world more than ever. The challenges we face today are far greater with the rise of hate and discrimination and education is a powerful instrument that brings hope and can transform the lives of people by providing hope and by being a catalyst for change. “

For her part, Maria Lucia Uribe, Executive Director, Arigatou International Geneva said, “The Ethics Education Fellowship program has witnessed the participation of 8000 children and inspired change in educational policy around the world. We are experiencing unprecedented times due to conflict and a lack of education and acceptance of others. The environment that children grow up in strongly affects the path they choose to take in later life. Ethics education isn’t about teaching children what is right or wrong but is rather about sowing seeds of change of positive relationships which can transform their communities.”

H.E. David Fernandez Puyana, Permanent Observer of the University for Peace to the United Nations Office, added, “This is a unique partnership that will foster global citizenship and partnerships as well as building more inclusive societies around the world. Today’s meeting is an opportunity to amplify this great platform to discuss the importance of ethics education on future generations.”

The Ethics Education Fellowship Program will include a number of panel forums and workshops focusing on; ‘Experiences and Lessons Learned from the Pilot Projects’, Strengthening Ethics Education at Country Level’, ‘Strengthening Ethics Education in Education Systems’, ‘Integrating Ethics Education to Education Systems’, ‘Finding synergies to support scalability and strengthening of Ethics Education’, ‘The way forward – Next Phase Country Presentations and Summary’, ‘Ethics Education Fellowship – A Contribution to Global Citizenship and Build Peaceful and Inclusive Societies – Insights from Implementation’, ‘Ethics Education – Catalyzing Transformative Learning for Social Cohesion and Learning to Live Together’, as well as ‘Country leadership and commitments’.

For the first time, the Muslim Council of Elders is participating in the 38th edition of the Foire Internationale du Livre de Tunis held from April 19 to 28 at the Parc Des Expositions Du Kram in Tunis, Tunisia. This participation aligns with the Council’s mission to promote peace, foster dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, and enhance cooperation among people of different races and beliefs. The Council will present over 160 publications in various languages, addressing significant intellectual and cultural issues aimed at correcting misconceptions, promoting enlightened moderate thinking, and confronting extremism, racism, hatred, and discrimination. Among the prominent publications presented by the Council at the Foire Internationale du Livre de Tunis are over 30 books authored by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders which highlight the tolerance and richness of Islamic heritage, including titles like “Al Qawl Al Tayeb,” “From My Old Notebooks,” “Ahl Al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah,” “Insights into Imam Al-Ash’ari’s Thought,” “A Discussion on Ailments and Objectives,” “Return to Faith,” “A Word to the Youth,” among others. The Council’s participation also includes significant publications such as “Basis of Understanding from Thought and Language” by His Eminence Dr. Mustapha Benhamza, member of the Higher Scientific Council of Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders and President of the Ulema Council of Oujda, “The Pope and the Grand Imam: A Thorny Path,” by Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders as well as various other prominent publications focusing on Islamic heritage and academia. The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion is located in Hall 2, Pavilion 2508, at the Parc Des Expositions Du Kram in Tunis. The Foire Internationale du Livre de Tunis is one of the most important intellectual and cultural events in Africa, with the participation of 25 countries in 2024, showcasing over 109,000 titles, along with a diverse programs and activities.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, expresses profound disappointment over the United Nations Security Council’s failure to adopt the draft resolution proposing the full membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nations.

The Council stresses that granting full membership to the State of Palestine within the United Nations constitutes both a historical right and an urgent imperative for advancing global peace efforts. It urges the international community to uphold the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people in establishing an independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Furthermore, the Muslim Council of Elders reiterates its call for an immediate halt to the aggression against the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in many casualties and injuries. It also urges for the facilitation of humanitarian aid to reach Palestinian civilians, particularly vulnerable groups such as the sick, children, women, and the elderly, in order to alleviate their suffering.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its heartfelt condolences to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of the Sultanate of Oman, and the people of Oman for the victims of the floods and heavy rains witnessed by the Sultanate. These events have resulted in several casualties, injuries, and missing individuals, as well as the destruction of several public facilities and properties.

The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman, its leadership, government, and people during this tragic ordeal. May the Almighty bestow His mercy upon the victims, grant them a place in His spacious gardens, expedite the recovery of the injured, ensure the success of the efforts of the competent authorities in finding the missing individuals, and safeguard the Sultanate and its people from all harm and adversity.

The Muslim Council of Elders recently hosted Iftars in Kazakhstan and Pakistan, with the participation of prominent religious leaders and figures from various sectors. The event aimed to reinforce values of tolerance, peace, acceptance, and dialogue among religions, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.

In Kazakhstan, the Central Asia branch of the Muslim Council of Elders organized the Iftar, attended by notable figures including Nokijanov Yorgan Bolaatkhanov, Head of Kazakhstan’s Religious Affairs Committee, Ershat Agybayuly, Deputy Mufti of Kazakhstan, Yangaliev Asghat Jomarovych, Leader of the Baha’i Faith Religious Association, and Novgorodov Yuri Timofeevich, Leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Religious Association, alongside ambassadors, Senate members, and intellectuals.

Dr. Darkhan Qydyrali, Kazakhatan’s Senate Deputy and Supervisor of the Muslim Council of Elders office in Central Asia, emphasized that establishing the branch aligns with the shared vision of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders as well as the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate and Secretary-General of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The goal is to enhance cooperation in promoting dialogue, tolerance, and peace, building on Kazakhstan’s exemplary model of coexistence.

The Iftar also featured speeches by Adil Kurmanzhanuly Akhmetov, a Member of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States and Personal Representative on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and Baitilesuly Zhusip Nurtore, a Kazakh Senate Deputy and Chairman of the Committee for Social-Cultural Development and Science, praising the establishment of the Central Asia branch to enhance communication, revive intellectual heritage, and educate younger generations.

In Pakistan, the Muslim Council of Elders branch organized an Iftar attended by religious leaders such as Dr. Qibla Ayaz, the current Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, and political, academic, and media personalities. Dr. Ayaz commended the Council’s efforts over the past decade under Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb’s chairmanship to promote peaceful coexistence and human fraternity. He stressed the importance of instilling these values in current and future generations to foster understanding and communication among different religious communities.

Other attendees, including former parliament member Sardar Ranjit Singh and Christopher Sharif, coordinator of the “Sabian Pakistan” program for Christian minorities, who praised the Muslim Council of Elders for promoting harmony among religions and emphasized the role of religious leaders in addressing global humanitarian challenges.

The Muslim Council of Elders, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has established branches in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan, aiming to strengthen communication with Muslims worldwide and promote dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, emphasized that healthcare is a fundamental human right and a key priority for achieving sustainable development and inclusive prosperity. The Council highlighted that the spread of diseases and epidemics is among the most significant challenges facing humanity, posing serious threats to public health, economic stability, and social harmony.

In a statement on World Health Day, observed annually on April 7th, the Muslim Council of Elders noted that the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected every corner of the world, underscored the critical importance of global collaboration and collective efforts to address health challenges. The Council urged governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to adopt a multi-sectoral approach that prioritizes investment in healthcare, strengthens health infrastructure, and guarantees equitable access to high-quality health services for everyone, regardless of their social, economic, racial, or national backgrounds.

The statement also pointed out that Islam considers health a human necessity and a fundamental need, not a luxury or an optional matter. Human life is sacred and must not be compromised or squandered. Thus, maintaining health is one of the most important obligations for every Muslim, as it enables them to engage in worship and perform acts of kindness for themselves, their families, and their community. With good health, individuals can actively contribute to the development and betterment of the world.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, underscored that the noble Islamic faith emphasizes the importance of caring for orphans, treating them kindly, honoring them, and looking after their affairs. It considers this among the best righteous deeds through which Muslims earn rewards from Allah. Allah the Almighty says: {And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin.} (Quran, Al-Baqarah: 2:284). Likewise, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “I and the caretaker of an orphan will be in Paradise like this,” indicating with his index and middle fingers and slightly separating them (Sahih Bukhari).

In a statement on Arab Orphan’s Day, which falls on the first Friday of April each year, the Muslim Council of Elders emphasizes that caring for orphans should encompass raising awareness of the importance of meeting their material needs, as well as providing them with psychological, social, and educational support, enabling them to become positive contributors to their countries and communities.

On the International Day of Conscience – Muslim Council of Elders: Conscience, an Ethical Compass Guiding Individuals toward Values of Goodness, Justice, Tolerance, and Peace

The Muslim Council of Elders under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, emphasizes the importance of conscience as a moral compass guiding individuals toward values of goodness, justice, and tolerance. It points out that our world today is in dire need of reviving the human conscience and promoting a culture of peace and coexistence, especially in light of the escalating feelings of hatred, violence, extremism, wars, and conflicts.

In a statement on the occasion of the International Day of Conscience, observed on the 5th of April every year, the Muslim Council of Elders states that Islam and divine laws consider human values and conscience as fundamental guides directing individuals to make right decisions in life. It calls upon individuals, institutions, and societies to seize the opportunity of this day to remind themselves of the value of human conscience and its ability to lead positive change in the world and build communities characterized by peace, justice, and love.

The statement further explains that the Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed by two prominent religious figures in the world, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, of the Catholic Church, which calls for promoting values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, acceptance of diversity, and pluralism, comes at a critical time when the world is engulfed in conflicts, disputes, bigotry, and extremism. It serves as a beacon of hope and a call for every living conscience to reject hateful violence and blind extremism and to embrace principles of tolerance and fraternity.

Dr. Hassan El-Sagheer, President of Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams, Preachers, and Fatwa Researchers, extended his congratulations to the Muslim Council of Elders on the occasion of its tenth anniversary.

Dr. El-Sagheer emphasized that over the past decade, the Muslim Council of Elders has continuously offered its contributions, and its generosity continues to overflow and offer goodness. The Council has not left any field or issue unaddressed, emphasizing that this entity is a symbol of amity and a promoter of peace. It empathizes with the suffering of communities and provides effective solutions to problems facing them. The Council has also rendered significant services to humanity by establishing the values of dialogue, citizenship, and acceptance of others through the Document on Human Fraternity. Its initiatives have served thousands and contributed to raising community awareness.

He also praised the efforts of Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, in fostering interfaith and intercultural dialogue and contributing to finding effective solutions to the challenges that humanity faces. The Council is a global entity that was born to become influential among institutions that offer valuable services to the world.