PRESS RELEASES

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the Houthi targeting of the Taibah Power Distribution Station in Medina, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a drone.

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its categorical rejection of this attack, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, poses a threat to its security and stability, and provokes the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.

The Council expresses its solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its support for all measures undertaken to safeguard its security and stability and preserve the sanctity of Islam’s holy sites.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, along with groups of settlers under the protection of Israeli police.

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its categorical rejection of these provocative and extremist actions, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law and all conventions. The Council calls for an end to these repeated incursions and the incitement to hatred and violence, as well as for holding those responsible accountable. It further stresses the need to respect the historic and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque, ensure the protection of religious holy sites, and put an end to the ongoing violations.

The Muslim Council of Elders calls on the international community to uphold its responsibilities and take effective action to stop these violations and advance a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue. Such efforts are essential to ending the suffering of the Palestinian people, which has persisted for over seven decades, and to realize their legitimate right to establish an independent Palestinian State, with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, mourns, with profound acceptance of Allah’s will and decree, the passing of the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who passed away today.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its sincere condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to the esteemed Al Maktoum family, and to the leadership and people of the United Arab Emirates. The Council prays that Almighty Allah envelop the deceased in His boundless mercy and forgiveness, grant him a place in His eternal Paradise, and bestow patience, comfort, and solace upon his family, loved ones, and all who mourn his passing.

Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the Houthi group’s attempt to target Mecca with a drone.

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its categorical rejection of this attack, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and poses a threat to its security and stability. The Council further stresses that such an act is a violation of the sanctity and sacred status of the Holy City and a provocation to the sentiments of nearly two billion Muslims around the world.

The Council expresses its utmost solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its support for all measures undertaken to safeguard its security and stability and to preserve the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the attacks carried out by the Houthi group which targeted civilian facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and that resulted in injuries to dozens of civilians.

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its categorical rejection of such attacks, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and pose a threat to its security and stability. The Council expresses its utmost solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its support for all measures undertaken to safeguard its security and stability.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, mourns Major Abdullah Shams Al Menhali and Officer Cadet Saeed Abdullah Al Shamsi, who lost their lives while carrying out a training mission in the United Arab Emirates.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its sincere condolences to the leadership, government, and people of the United Arab Emirates, as well as to the UAE Armed Forces, the families of the two servicemen, and their loved ones. The Council prays that Almighty Allah bless them with His boundless mercy and forgiveness, grant them a place in His eternal Paradise, and bestow patience, comfort, and solace upon their families and relatives.

Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the act committed by an extremist who tore up a copy of the Holy Qur’an inside a church in New York City, United States.

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its categorical rejection of this reprehensible act, which reflects abhorrent racism and hateful intolerance, and stands in contradiction to the teachings of religions, divine laws, international conventions, and shared human values. The Council stresses that such actions provoke the sentiments of nearly two billion Muslims around the world and undermine efforts to promote the values of dialogue, peace, and coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders warns against the rise of Islamophobia and the growing spread of extremist, hateful, and inciting rhetoric. The Council emphasizes that the recurrence of such acts necessitates a serious and decisive response to confront all forms of religious hatred and intolerance. It further stresses that freedom of expression can never serve as a justification for insulting religions or violating the sanctity of their sacred symbols, noting that respect for religious beliefs and symbols is a fundamental pillar for promoting social harmony and safeguarding human dignity.

The Council also underscores that places of worship must remain beacons of peace and human fraternity and that exploiting them to insult other religions and their sacred symbols or to incite hatred is fundamentally inconsistent with their mission and spiritual significance. The Council calls for the enactment of decisive legislation criminalizing the defamation of religious symbols, while also urging stronger international and societal efforts to combat Islamophobia, religious hatred, and intolerance, and to promote dialogue, mutual respect, and coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the attacks carried out by the Houthi group against civilian and economic facilities in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which resulted in injuries to dozens of civilians, including women and children، as well as the continued targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea and threats to the safety and security of maritime navigation

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its categorical rejection of such attacks. The Council stresses that these acts constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and pose a serious threat to its security and stability.

The Council further expresses its solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding the Kingdom’s security, stability, and territorial integrity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the statements made by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip.

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its categorical rejection of these statements, as well as any plans aimed at displacing the Palestinian people, whether within the Occupied Palestinian Territory or beyond its borders. The Council stresses that the displacement or forced removal of Palestinians from their land constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and an infringement upon their legitimate and inalienable rights.

The Council warns against the grave consequences of transforming such calls into policies or measures implemented on the ground. It emphasizes that any attempt to impose forced displacement would further exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people, undermine international efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip, and weaken prospects for achieving peace and stability in the region.

The Muslim Council of Elders further stresses that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the Palestinian Territories and that preserving the unity of the Palestinian territories in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, remains a fundamental pillar for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Council calls on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and adopt a firm stance against any attempts to displace the Palestinian people or alter the demographic and geographic realities of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Council reaffirms its support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their attachment to their land and legitimate rights, while reiterating its categorical rejection of any measures aimed at undermining the Palestinian cause or compromising the rights of the Palestinian people.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the Iranian attack targeting the Saudi tanker ‘Sidr’ while it transited the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the deaths of a number of crew members.

The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and stands firmly with it in all measures it undertakes to safeguard its security and national interests, ensure the safety of its vessels, and protect freedom of navigation and maritime security in regional and international waters.