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The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024 presents the work “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence.” The event took place in Manama, capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain, from November 3 to 4, 2022, in the presence of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, of the Catholic Church.

The Bahrain Dialogue Forum comprised four sessions, which carefully selected issues were addressed, reflecting their exceptional importance in the current moment of our world’s history. The discussions focused on peace, peaceful coexistence, and tolerance, education, contemporary ethical and moral crises, dialogue, especially religious dialogue, shared values among cultures, current economic and social crises, critical international relations issues like food and climate, wars, and the risks of Islamophobia. The role of religious leaders in addressing the challenges of their time was also explored.

While introducing the book, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, emphasized that wisdom represented the essence of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum. The wise figures from Eastern and Western societies were its guests and invitees, embodying a deep belief in the importance of listening to them to benefit from their experiences in building peace and strengthening the values of human coexistence in diverse religious and cultural contexts. This mutual exchange, through various institutional experiences and different social environments, enhances the role of the Muslim Council of Elders and its contribution to fulfilling its mission in partnership with all stakeholders committed to these human values worldwide.

Judge Abdelsalam affirmed that choosing “Dialogue” as the theme of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum signifies a triumph for a major humanitarian value and a grand idea. The global event elevates the management of human relations and builds innovative visions for solving complex global problems at various levels. It represents a victory for an inspiring vision deeply rooted in spiritual and moral sources. The participation of the two major religious symbols, His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis, in the Bahrain Dialogue Forum is a significant source of influence for the forum and for religious dialogue worldwide. Their historical roles, reflected in signing the Document of Human Fraternity, were highlighted.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders clarified that the Bahrain Dialogue Forum sought to emphasize the importance of dialogue as the sole and most effective path to invest in common human intelligence for solving global problems. It did so by addressing them through various approaches and experiences, collectively contemplating innovative and creative solutions to some of the challenges facing humanity. This was achieved by involving a qualitative group of influential actors with visionary expertise and leading initiatives, confirming that the Bahrain Dialogue Forum was more than just an opportunity for encounters and dialogues between diverse global elites of references and specialties. It was a message for a shared future and an advanced idea proposed by the wise figures of the world, considering it an open choice and a continuous path that unites all those concerned about the future of humanity and eager for fraternity among its children.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024 presents the book “Proceedings of the International Symposium – Islam and the West: Diversity and Integration.” This conference was held by Al-Azhar in partnership with the Muslim Council of Elders from October 22 to 24, 2018. The book, part of the Muslim Council of Elders’ publications, showcases the insights from distinguished scholars, experts, and leaders from the Muslim and Western worlds.

The conference aimed to provide a platform for these individuals to share their perspectives and thoughts on the complex and extensive topic of Islam and the West. The insights presented in this book contribute to enhancing the mutual understanding between the two parties, helping them navigate the challenges they collectively face. 

The book also emphasizes that Islam is a comprehensive message directed to all of humanity and serves as the culmination of divine revelation sent from the heavens to the earth as a mercy to the worlds. Islam, with its universal and eternal nature, rapidly spread across geographical boundaries in history. Within a single generation of the Prophet’s mission, Islam had reached from the Arabian Peninsula to the important cultural and political centers of the time, such as the Levant, becoming the dominant force across a vast area stretching from China to southern France within a century.

The book highlights the pressing need for insightful reflection from wise scholars, experts in the field, and those with perspectives on the issues surrounding the relationship between Islam and the West today. The interconnected destinies of the two civilizational realms necessitate ongoing dialogue, the promotion of understanding, the identification of common ground, and maximizing opportunities for cooperation in the face of shared challenges.

The content of the book includes the proceedings of the conference’s various sessions, covering topics such as the evolution of the relationship between Islam and the West, the tension between Muslims and other Europeans, citizenship as a solution, nationalism, populism, the status of religion, demographics, ideology, migration, the future, religious dialogue, societal dialogue, points of agreement, points of disagreement, and the content and style of religious education.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features a diverse collection of publications, along with a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting the values of peace, and mutual coexistence among all humanity.

The pavilion is located alongside the Al-Azhar pavilion in Hall 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Muslim Council of Elders presents the book “Conceptualizing Peace During the European Renaissance” by Dr. Bennacer El Bouazzati at its pavilion in the Cairo International Book Fair 2024. Dr. Bouazzati, a former professor at Mohammed V University authored the book which has been published by Al Hokama Center for Peace Research.

The book highlights historical moments that unmistakably reveal the clear connection between the accumulation of experiences and the evolution of ideas, arising from collaboration among actors belonging to diverse cultural fabrics. They engage in interactive intellectual traditions, with cooperation not necessitating agreement on principles and facts but demanding participation in exchanging perspectives and even the possibility of objecting to proposals in the exchange. 

The author points out that the exchange between different cultural groups is a constant, civilization-building process. However, the benefit derived from it is not uniform for all parties involved, as some weigh the balance between peaceful dialogue and formulating plans for progress, while others reject taking advantage of external views based on specific perspectives.

The book also provides examples from the thirteenth century, showcasing peaceful openness and strategies for learning from opponents in regions like Sicily, Andalusia, and Italy. Achieved through peaceful means such as translation, education, and fostering a climate of productive dialogue, Europe greatly benefited from this interaction, developing ideas in science, art, philosophy, politics, and law.

Through this book, the author also explores the connection between the concept of peace and the Renaissance in Europe, focusing on thirteenth-century transformations. He selects relevant texts and positions, recognizing the impossibility of encompassing all the historical circumstances characterizing this distinguished period marked by local and global competition.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the Cairo International Book Fair in its 55th edition, from January 24 to February 6, 2024. The council’s pavilion showcases numerous distinguished publications by the Council, accompanied by a series of seminars, activities, and events.

The Council’s pavilion is situated next to Al-Azhar Sharif’s pavilion, in Hall number 4, at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center in the Fifth Settlement in Cairo.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ booth at the Cairo International Book Fair 2024 is presenting the book “The West and Rediscovery of Islam: Approaches to Islam in Contemporary Western Thought” by Professor Tijani Boulaouali, the Director of the European Studies Program at Al Hokama Center for Peace Research and an expert researcher in European affairs. 

The book, published by Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, indicates that the profound impact of Islam on European identity persists and extends beyond religious influence. Its cultural aspects have become integral to European societies where Muslims constitute a social element, contributing to cultural diversity. Given this reality, there is a pressing need for a reevaluation of Islam in the West, examining the conceptual relationship between the two and studying the potential of “Western European Islam” historically and in the future. The book explores prevalent Western perspectives on Islam, using them as a starting point to explore the future of Islam in Europe.

The book also emphasizes the critical importance of reaching agreements and understanding differences regarding the concepts and terms governing the relationship between Islam and the West. It addresses the urgent need to establish a positive intellectual foundation for the relationship between Islam as a religion and culture, and the West as a cultural and political entity. This is crucial for understanding Islam’s potential contributions to the West’s future, beyond the identity tensions often associated with the historical relationship between these two entities.

The author further highlights that the study operates within the framework of exploring the relationship between Islam and the West from the European and Western context. It serves as a contribution to a series of intellectual and research endeavors that are interconnected, focusing on the nature of the contemporary presence of Muslims in Europe and the West in various historical, religious, cultural, and social dimensions. The book starts with the assumption that Islam, as the foreign or exotic “other” in traditional Orientalist studies, is continually subjected to a process of “rediscovery” by the European or Western self. This ongoing process involves a renewed perception of aspects of Islam according to the context and new cultural conditions. The more objective this perception is, the more diverse issues of Islam are accommodated, narrowing the communicative, cognitive, and psychological gap between self and other, or more precisely, between Islam and the West.

Likewise, the author notes that contemporary Western thought, since the 1990s, has introduced approaches to Islam that differ significantly from traditional Orientalism. These approaches dismantle preconceived notions and assumptions that underlie traditional Orientalist theories and contemporary Christian studies. They create a methodological and epistemological rupture with the distorted intellectual current. Moreover, these approaches objectively study Islam, devoid of any ideological or doctrinal bias, aiming to understand the Islamic phenomenon in its various dimensions and manifestations. This accumulation of knowledge suggests a need to investigate the positive transformation that has occurred in the traditional image of Islam.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section, “The Binary of Islam and the West: A Conceptual Comparative Approach,” includes chapters on the comparative terminological reading of the concepts of Islam and the West, and the dialectics of Islam and the West. The second section, “Islam in the West: An Extension in History and Imagination,” comprises two chapters: a historical overview of the presence of Islam in the West and an analysis of the understanding of Islam as a concept, history, and reality. The third and final section of the book, “Approaches to Islam in Contemporary Western Thought,” includes five chapters: Islam in the Western philosophical perspective, Islam in the Islamic studies perspective, Islam in the spiritual approach, Islam in the political thought perspective, and Islam and the critical approach to Western ideology.

The Muslim Council of Elders will participate at the Cairo International Book Fair, in its 55th edition, from January 24 to February 6, 2024. The booth will feature a large number of releases from the Council, along with various seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting values of peace and coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ booth is located at the Cairo International Book Fair, adjacent to the Al-Azhar booth, in Hall (4) at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.

In 2023, the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, intensified efforts to activate the role of religious leaders in addressing global issues and challenges. The Council aimed to contribute to finding effective and tangible solutions, particularly in addressing the climate issue, amidst the negative repercussions of the climate crisis threatening life on Earth.

Simultaneously, with the United Arab Emirates hosting the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), the Muslim Council of Elders worked to enhance the role of religious leaders in confronting this existential challenge. The importance of the role of religious leaders and their efforts in addressing the negative impacts of climate change was emphasized during the first meeting of the Joint Committee for Dialogue between the Muslim Council of Elders and the Vatican’s Department for Interreligious Dialogue.

The year 2023 witnessed significant global movements to rally the voices of religious leaders against climate change. The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, conducted several visits to Rome, meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis to discuss launching an initiative to activate the role of religious leaders in addressing climate challenges. The goal was to unify the efforts of leaders from various faiths and sects to achieve climate justice and establish ethical responsibility to preserve Earth as a common home for humanity.

Likewise, 50 young participants from 24 countries attended the second edition of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the World Council of Churches and the Rose Castle Foundation, which sent a message of hope to COP28. They planted an olive tree and called for environmental peacemakers to work towards protecting life and its natural resources on Earth.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, the Muslim Council of Elders, in collaboration with COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme, organized the Global Summit for Religious Leaders on Climate. Representatives from 18 religions and 30 denominations worldwide, along with scholars, academics, environmental experts, and community representatives, including youth, women, and indigenous peoples, attended the summit. The summit issued the ‘Call of Conscience: Abu Dhabi Statement on Climate Action for COP28’ which was co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb and His Holiness Pope Francis, along with 28 other religious leaders, calling for effective actions to address the climate crisis and preserve the Earth.

The Muslim Council of Elders concluded its activities in 2023 to activate the participation of religious leaders in global climate action and find innovative solutions to address climate issues. This included organizing the Faith Pavilion at COP28, a first in the history of COP conferences, in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme. The pavilion hosted over 65 dialogue sessions with participation from around 700 international personalities, providing a global platform for interfaith discussions to take ambitious and effective measures that promote environmental justice and preserve the environment for current and future generations.

A delegation from the Pakistan Branch of the Muslim Council of Elders visited the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in the capital city, Islamabad. The purpose of the visit was to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation in spreading and promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence.
During the meeting, both sides emphasized the urgent need to confront violence, religious hatred, and all forms of religious extremism. They also discussed the importance of correcting misconceptions among young people and promoting the moderate and tolerant teachings of Islam. Mr. Muhammad Arshad, the cooperating director of the Pakistan Branch of the Muslim Council of Elders,  along with Mr. Aizaz Ali Shah, the Branch Media Officer presented these ideas. The introductory presentation covered the Muslim Council of Elders and its initiatives aimed at spreading and promoting values such as tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and harmony between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Additionally, he also highlighted the principles outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence the Grand Imam, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church in 2019 in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi. This document is considered a symbol of human unity, emphasizing the commitment of world religions to peace and peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and peoples.
In response, Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and Mr. Hafiz Abdul Quddus, Director of the Ministry Research and Reference Department, expressed their profound appreciation for the impactful role played by the Muslim Council of Elders in disseminating and solidifying the values of coexistence and peace on local, regional, and global levels. They underscored the significance of promoting these values within Pakistani society to foster greater harmony and understanding among diverse religions and cultures.
It is noteworthy that the Council of Muslim Elders is an independent international body led by His Eminence the Grand Imam, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. Established in Abu Dhabi in 2014, its membership comprises a group of scholars, experts, and distinguished figures within the Islamic community known for their wisdom, justice, independence, and moderation. The council aims to contribute to the enhancement of peace in both Muslim and non-Muslim societies, mitigating the intensity of unrest, wars, and conflicts. Additionally, its mission involves promoting and strengthening the values of dialogue, tolerance, peace, and human coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, expresses deep concern over the killing of Imam Hussein Sharif, the imam of a mosque in Newark, New Jersey, USA who was fatally shot by an unknown assailant in the mosque parking lot after performing Fajr prayers on Thursday.

The Muslim Council of Elders strongly condemns such heinous acts that contribute to spreading discord and escalating hate speech, bigotry, and racism. It calls for those responsible to be brought to justice and emphasizes the need to enhance efforts to promote values of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

The Council extends its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, the local community in Newark, and the entire Islamic community in the United States, praying that the Almighty grants the Imam mercy, places him in the vastness of His gardens, and grants patience and solace to his family and loved ones.

His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, has received the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, to discuss enhancing cooperation and the crucial role of the Muslim nation’s wise scholars in addressing the challenges facing our world.

During the meeting, President Widodo expressed his appreciation for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and the UAE’s efforts in promoting tolerance and peace worldwide.

President Widodo also recognized the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in promoting peace, tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity. He also commended the Council’s role in fostering the role of religious leaders in facing global challenges, particularly the issue of climate change and its serious consequences. He lauded the significant level of cooperation between the Muslim Council of Elders and both the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah organizations, which has positively influenced the promotion of coexistence and human fraternity in Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asia region.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders expressed the Council’s and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb’s appreciation for Indonesia, its leadership and people, and its pioneering role in serving the causes of the Muslim world. He highlighted Indonesia’s civilizational model of Islam and its inspiring religious and cultural diversity in the Southeast Asian region. The Secretary-General indicated that the upcoming period would witness more joint initiatives and projects between the Southeast Asian branch of the Muslim Council of Elders and religious and state institutions in Indonesia and the region, aimed at building bridges of communication and advancing the values of dialogue and harmonious coexistence.

The secretary-general commended Indonesia’s significant efforts in addressing the climate change crisis and the Indonesian experience as a leading model in this area.

The meeting was attended by State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Sheikh Yahya Cholil Staquf, President of the Nahdlatul Ulama association, Saifullah Yusuf, Secretary-General of Nahdlatul Ulama association, Dr. Haedar Nashir, General President of Muhammadiyah, Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, Secretary-General of Muhammadiyah, His Excellency Abdullah Salem Obeid Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, and His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Quraish Shihab, former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs and member of the Muslim Council of Elders.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the extremist statements made by the Ministers of Finance and National Security in the Israeli government which call for the displacement of Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip and the reoccupation of the territory, including the construction of illegal settlements.

The Council reaffirms its unequivocal rejection of these offensive statements and all provocative practices and violations against the Palestinian people. It urges the international community to assume its responsibilities and halt all forms of Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. The Council also calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid to innocent civilians, especially the most vulnerable groups such as the sick, women, and children. Additionally, the Council supports the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, urges institutions and individuals to enhance their focus on the Braille language, which serves as a bridge connecting the visually impaired (blind and visually impaired individuals) with various knowledge and sciences.

In a statement on the occasion of World Braille Day, observed on the 4th of January every year, the council emphasizes that disseminating and promoting Braille language, as well as translating scientific publications, books, and writings in various fields of knowledge into this language, enhances educational and cognitive opportunities for those who rely on it in their daily lives. This contributes to building an inclusive and supportive society.

The Muslim Council of Elders places significant importance on promoting the use of Braille as a means to disseminate values of tolerance, peace, and coexistence. The council collaborated with the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination to translate the Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019, into Arabic, English, and Italian Braille. The goal was to make it accessible to the visually impaired worldwide.

This initiative aligns with the council’s ongoing efforts to provide fair opportunities for all segments of society to access knowledge in various fields. It also reflects the council’s commitment to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and encouraging their full participation in their communities.

It’s worth noting that Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetical and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number. It is used by blind and visually impaired individuals to read printed books and periodicals in visible print, ensuring their access to human information and knowledge.