NEWS

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

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

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has met the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen to discuss potential cooperation and various prominent global matters.  

During the meeting, the Grand Imam remarked that the voice of religion, which some are attempting to silence and remove from people’s lives, is desperately needed in today’s society. The Grand Imam added that by exaggerating the materialistic vision and glorifying human needs and the pursuit of their pleasure, the world only gained more wars, conflicts, and carnage. 

His Eminence clarified that many in the West exploit freedoms to impose Western ideals and practices on Eastern and Arab cultures. This includes attempts to legitimize homosexuality in the Arab world and the Middle East through the normalization of the practice and behaviors in the media. This, he argued, is a blow to our human rights, as well as to children’s rights and the rights of families. He added that this new form of intellectual and cultural colonialism needs to cease to exist since it goes against human instinct, religious doctrine, and the natural order of the universe.

His Eminence declared that Muslims and people from the Middle East are defined by their adherence to moral and religious principles. He also pointed out that freedom of speech cannot be used to harm others or insult their sanctities and religious symbols. He also pointed to the need to help individuals overcome hardships and suffering, and we should treat Easterners with the same respect that we give Westerners because they too deserve to live honorable lives.

His Eminence also discussed the risks of illegal immigration, emphasizing that in order to find a solution to this issue, we must first understand what drives young individuals to seek asylum from their home nations and into an uncertain future. He advised that we must all pay attention to Africa, the continent of wealth and riches, whose resources have long been plundered, while also lending a helping hand to its people by encouraging them to rise and seek employment.

For her part, the Danish Prime Minister expressed her gratitude for the efforts made by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to promote the values of human fraternity, peace, and coexistence among people. Moreover, she emphasized the importance her nation places on fostering dialogue between the East and West and strengthening relations between the Eastern and Western Peoples, all of which are compatible with the Grand Imam’s teachings as well as an eagerness to uphold the right to diversity. She said that Egypt is a crucial ally that actively engages in the fight against illegal migration, which calls for coordinated measures to produce effective outcomes on the ground.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders today met the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban to discuss potential cooperation. 

During the meeting, the Grand Imam expressed his admiration of Prime Minister Orban and Hungary’s stance on religious values and morals while rejecting social diseases and behaviors that aim to destroy the family entity, spread extramarital sexual relations while normalizing homosexuality under the veil of “rights and freedoms”. This, the Grand Imam pointed out, is consistent with the position of Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders as these diseases strive to exclude religion, set aside morals, distort societies, and destroy man by fulfilling desires.

The Grand Imam added that those promoting such diseases are not satisfied with only doing so within their countries and societies, but are in fact attempting to impose them on people regardless of their religious and moral backgrounds while taking advantage of strong media influence and social media networks. Likewise, the Grand Imam praised Hungary for legally and constitutionally upholding the institution of marriage and condemning homosexuality.

The Hungarian Prime Minister, for his part, expressed his gratitude and respect for His Eminence the Grand Imam, and his efforts to promote peace as well as the burdens he carries to advance understanding and fraternity while creating a culture of coexistence and integration. Additionally, he stated that his nation is working to combat destructive global trends by bringing attention to the seriousness of actions that are inconsistent with moral and religious principles, particularly in light of the perversions that are being promoted which undermine traditional family structures and encourage extramarital relationships.

Orban added that it is incorrect to refer to these actions by their proper names and that it is important to warn of the dangers they pose to society in the name of “freedom of expression.” He made the point that this would eventually result in deception and its propagation among young people; as a result, our responsibility and resolve to combat these diseases that seek to pervert society will increase.

The International Day of Human Fraternity (4 February) has been commemorated by the Malaysian branch of the Muslim Council of Elders with a varied program of events. The day falls on the anniversary of His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, co-signing the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Mosques in the Malaysian federal territories were encouraged by the Council’s Malaysian branch to speak about the value of religious tolerance, coexistence, and interfaith harmony. This was done in conjunction with the Department of Islamic Affairs in Malaysia.

To stress the ideals of tolerance and human fraternity, the Council’s Malaysia branch organized visits to a number of Malaysian churches. This goes with the translation of the Human Fraternity Document into the Malay, Chinese, and Tamil languages, as well as the distribution of copies of the Document to numerous academic institutions and public libraries within Malaysia, as well as to state Sultans and religious leaders within the southeast Asian state. 

The world celebrated the International Day of Human Fraternity on the 4th of February of each year. The date was adopted by the UN General Assembly to commemorate the anniversary of the co-signing of the Document on Human Fraternity on the 4th of February 2019.

Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2023 recipients will be honored at a ceremony on February 4th—the International Day of Human Fraternity 

Community of Sant’Egidio and Kenyan peacebuilder ‘Mama Shamsa’ set an inspiring example of promoting human fraternity and peaceful coexistence 

 The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity judging committee announced today (Tuesday) the Community of Sant’Egidio and Kenyan peacebuilder Mrs. Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil as co-honorees of the 2023 award.

Now in its fourth edition, the award recognizes the two co-honorees for their contributions to building a more peaceful and compassionate world through advancing the values of human fraternity and setting an inspiring example of promoting peaceful coexistence. 

The Community of Sant’Egidio is a humanitarian association based in Rome, Italy, with representative offices in 73 countries across Europe, Africa, the United States, and Asia. The association is being recognized for their contribution to successful peace negotiations and conflict resolution through religious diplomacy and intercultural dialogue – promoting peace in various places around the world, from Guatemala to Mozambique. They also provide community services in different parts of the world. Notably, the organization continues to assist refugees and support their integration into host societies through their ‘Humanitarian Corridors’ initiative, which also extends support to the most impoverished communities around the world. 

A community mobilizer and peacebuilder in Kenya, Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil – known as ‘Mama Shamsa’ – is being recognized for nurturing youth in Kenya and saving young people from lives of violence, crime, and extremism, by providing them with counseling, care, and training. Mrs. Abubakar Fadhil has led major campaigns in Kenya and greater Africa to draw awareness to violence against women, as well as women and youth empowerment.

This year’s award was decided by an independent judging committee composed of international experts in promoting peace and human rights, namely United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos; former Vice President of Costa Rica H.E. Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr; Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Holy See His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi; 2015 Nobel Peace Laureate and entrepreneur Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui; and Secretary-General of Zayed Award for Human Fraternity and Secretary -General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam.

Commenting on the selection of the award’s 2023 honorees, Secretary-General of Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said: “This year’s honorees are truly outstanding leaders that are dedicating their lives to address division, build resilient communities and cultivate compassion and hope. The Community of Sant’Egidio and Mama Shamsa have transformed the lives of vulnerable and marginalized peoples in societies around the world, including youth, refugees, and those living in conflict zones.”    

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam added: “By granting the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity to the Community of Sant’Egidio and Mama Shamsa, we hope to amplify their efforts and inspire other institutions and individuals around the world to play an active role in promoting the values of human fraternity.”

Judging committee member His Excellency Miguel Àngel Moratinos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, said: “Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb outlined indispensable and noble principles for humanity in the Document on Human Fraternity. This year’s honorees demonstrate how ordinary people and entities can put these principles into practice – namely, with a dedication to serving others in recognition that we are all members of one human family.”

“This year’s co-honorees demonstrate how people committed to working together for the common good can help heal our wounded world. It is the hope of the judging committee that the efforts of Sant’Egidio and Mama Shamsa will inspire us all to lead lives of service, humility, and compassion,” said judging committee member His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

Judging committee member Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui, 2015 Nobel Peace Laureate and entrepreneur, said: “From over 200 nominees of outstanding individuals and entities, we chose the Community of Sant’Egidio and Mama Shamsa as the honorees of the award, which is named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, who was a champion of all humanity – young, old, rich, poor, male and female.”

The co-recipients will be honored during an award ceremony on February 4, 2023 – the UN-recognized International Day of Human Fraternity – in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which includes a $1 million prize, is an annual independent international award that recognizes people and entities of all backgrounds, anywhere in the world, who are working selflessly and tirelessly across divides to advance the timeless values of solidarity, integrity, fairness, and optimism and create breakthroughs towards peaceful coexistence. 

The award was launched in 2019 to mark the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, during which they co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity. 

The award is named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, renowned for his humanitarianism and dedication to helping people no matter their background.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam along with a delegation from the Council have met a number of Hawza scholars and academics as well as university professors at the Al-Khoei Institute in Najaf, Iraq.

The Secretary-General and traveling delegation met with Iraq’s former Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities Hassan Nadhem as well as Sayyed Jawad Al-Khoei, the Secretary-General of the Al-Khoei Institute in Najaf. Al-Khoei praised the Council under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb for its role in promoting Islamic unity. Attendees also praised the Grand Imam’s positive role in promoting inter-Islamic dialogue while stressing the urgent need to hold further meetings and dialogue to spread peace among Muslims. 

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam stressed that the Council’s message is based on Islamic and human fraternity which is a message that was expressed by His Eminence the Grand Imam in the period prior to his call for an inter-Islamic dialogue to combat sectarian division and sedition.

Judge Abdelsalam added that the delegation’s visit to Iraq is part of the Grand Imam’s call, which has been universally met with appreciation. The visit, he pointed, is also a great opportunity to connect with fellow Muslims and Arabs with a shared culture and language and to discuss mutual challenges facing the Muslim world. 

Abdelsalam concluded that the delegation is set to promote discussions and thinking for the service of humanity by helping to transition away from conflict to agreement and cooperation, which in itself is a divine command. He also emphasized that sound Sunni-Shiite relations are crucial to maintaining Arab and Islamic values in the face of challenges faced by everyone. 

A delegation from the Muslim Council of Elders is currently visiting Iraq with the visit set to include a number of meetings with prominent Sunni and Shia religious leaders and scholars. The visit will feature meetings in Baghdad, Najaf, and Erbil and aims to build productive channels of dialogue with all facets of Iraqi society.

Under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Muslim Council of Elders expresses its solidarity with Malaysia for the victims that perished in the landslide in Selangor state which led to tens of deaths and injuries. 

The Council also extends its condolences to the people of Malaysia and the families of the victims whilst wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

WASHINGTON – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) distributed the Document on Human Fraternity to over 200 bishops in America and committed to using the Document as a reference for future national interreligious dialogues.

“We arranged today for the document to be distributed to all of the Catholic bishops across the United States.  We have encouraged them to use the document as a resource as they reach out to Muslims and friends from other faith traditions throughout our nation,” said the Bishop of Memphis David P. Talley, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, in an official letter to Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam. Bishop Talley said that the USCCB will include a reflection on human fraternity in each of its national interreligious dialogues going forward, adding: “I and my brother bishops were motivated [by the initiatives and efforts inspired by the Document] to recommit our energies towards placing fraternity at the heart of all we do.”

The USCCB’s decision came after Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam visited the USCCB headquarters in Washington D.C. in last September. The visit was followed by remarks the Secretary-General delivered at the USCCB annual assembly last month, in which he highlighted the historical significance and impact of the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 by His Holiness Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. 

Judge Abdelsalam explained how the values enshrined in the Document on Human Fraternity – among them respect for diversity, equality, justice, and human rights – align with American values and the USCCB’s strategic priority to uphold the life and dignity of the human person. He highlighted the key initiatives undertaken to actualize the Document on Human Fraternity and promote interfaith dialogue.

“The Muslim Council of Elders looks forward to the Document gaining awareness and support in the United States following the USCCB’s actions. We stand ready to help actualize the Document in America and beyond,” said Judge Abdelsalam following the decision.

The bishops also expressed their gratitude for Judge Abdelsalam’s book that recounted the journey of the Document on Human Fraternity, The Pope and the Grand Imam: A Thorny Path, calling it a “vital resource for Catholics and Muslims alike.”

As the central leadership body of the Catholic Church in America, the USCCB serves over 74 million Catholics, with 195 archdioceses and dioceses across the United States.

Islam called on women to honor and respect their rights, and urges them to be kind, caring for and caring for them, and the Prophet بهال ، الله عليه وسلم said: “Recommend women well” [narrated by Bukhari and Muslim], and made women the same rights and duties as of men, the Prophet منالله عليله علي وسلم (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Enough a woman” For women who are not men” [Narrated by Abu Dawood], Islam honored her as a human, a girl, and a mother. And sister and wife.

Women’s rights issues are one of the most important issues brought up by the Muslim Wise Council headed by A. D. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Council of Muslim Wise Men, of special interest; through the words of the Imam Akbar and his attitudes, and through the document of the humanitarian brotherhood, which affirmed the duty of working to liberate women from historical and social pressures that are adverse to uphold her faith, dignity, and duty Protecting her from sexual exploitation and treating her as a commodity or an instrument for pleasure and profit; stop all Inhuman practices, vulgar habits of women’s dignity, and working to modify legislation that change without women having their full rights.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Council of Muslim Wise urges individuals, international bodies and institutions to stand together; to raise awareness of women’s rights, and to make further efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women; which fosters a free health environment From violence, the values of good, truth and beauty prevailed, in which women unite And the man to make tomorrow better.

MCE Secretary-General urges making use of the Document on Human Fraternity to draft international charters and laws on inter-civilizational relations

– MCE Secretary-General: The Document on Human Fraternity is a call to all members of the greater human family to advance peace, mutual respect, and social harmony, based on respect for all people and their rights

– MCE Secretary-General: I call for giving due attention to the role of religious leaders in addressing the lack of peace and mutual respect worldwide

Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has stressed the need to make use of Abu Dhabi’s historic Document on Human Fraternity to draft new international charters and laws that enhance inter-civilizational relations and advance moral and spiritual values in dealing with major common human challenges.

In a keynote speech at a thematic session on the role of religious leaders in promoting peace, mutual respect, and social harmony, co-organized by the MCE and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the Secretary-General said the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi, 2019, is one of the best outcomes of interfaith dialogue in modern times.  

This document is an appeal to all members of the greater human family to unite in advancing world peace, mutual respect, and social harmony, based on respect for all peoples and their rights, the Secretary-General added. He stressed that due attention should be given to the role religious leaders can undertake in addressing today’s most pressing problems, including the lack of peace and mutual respect. The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the local and global impact of religious leaders and the difference they can make in this area, he added.

The Secretary-General pointed out that the MCE – since its establishment in Abu Dhabi in 2014 – has sought to make use of the wisdom and vision of community and religious leaders and to translate this into actions and guidance for the betterment of world communities.

The MCE has been doing this out of its conviction that the moral and cultural experiences of people are a great source of wisdom that can help address today’s conflicts and inspire the world to have better human relationships. This holds true when cultural experiences are shared and integrated through the recognition of the collective creativity of all peoples and nations, which has led to the creation of various civilizations throughout the course of history, Judge Abdelsalam explained.

In his concluding remarks, Secretary-General Judge Abdelsalam offered his thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco as a pioneering model for promoting coexistence and human fraternity. He gave special thanks to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco for supporting such efforts.

The Secretary-General commended the UNAOC for organizing the ninth edition of the UNAOC Global Forum, with the theme: Towards an Alliance of Peace: Living Together as One Humanity. He further expressed his hope that the Forum will promote greater global awareness of the values of cultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence as a prerequisite for mutual respect and sustainable global peace.