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 Iranian attacks targeting the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain which included missile and drone strikes on Kuwait International Airport, resulting in significant material damage to the passenger terminal, the death of one individual, and injuries to several others, in addition to damage to vital facilities, including diplomatic missions. The Council also condemns the attacks carried out against the Kingdom of Bahrain using missiles and drones.

The Council affirms its unequivocal rejection of such terrorist acts, which constitute a clear violation of international law, a flagrant breach of state sovereignty, and a direct threat to national security, stability, and the safety of civilians. It further stresses that targeting diplomatic missions is a criminal act that is explicitly prohibited and condemned under international law and established diplomatic norms.

The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its utmost solidarity with the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain and reiterates its support for all measures taken by both nations to safeguard their security, stability, and the safety of their citizens and residents. The Council also calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities in putting an end to these ongoing attacks, in order to preserve regional security and stability, uphold state sovereignty, and protect the safety of their peoples.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, strongly condemns the storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by settlers under the protection of the Israeli occupation police, and the raising of the occupation flag within its precincts.

The Council reiterates its categorical rejection of such extremist and provocative violations, and of all actions and attempts aimed at altering the established religious, historical, and legal status of the city of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Council stresses that Al-Aqsa Mosque — in its entirety, encompassing an area of 144 dunams — is a place of worship exclusively and solely for Muslims.

The Council further calls upon the international community to uphold its moral and legal responsibilities toward Islamic holy sites, and to take immediate and decisive measures to bring an end to the repeated violations against the city of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque. It warns that the continued perpetuation of these systematic violations carries grave consequences for security and stability across the region.

The Muslim Council of Elders renews its call for urgent and concerted action to achieve a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, to end the suffering of the Palestinian people — which has persisted for more than seven decades — and to affirm their legitimate right to establish an independent state with Holy 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, strongly condemns the shooting targetting an Islamic center in San Diego, California, resulting in the deaths of three people.

The Council affirms its unequivocal rejection of all forms of violence, hatred, extremism, and Islamophobia, as well as attacks on places of worship and peaceful worshippers. Such criminal acts, it stresses, are religiously, morally, and humanely unacceptable, and constitute a flagrant violation of laws, values, and the principles of peaceful coexistence as well as posing a serious threat to the security and stability of societies.

The Muslim Council of Elders calls for strengthened international efforts to combat hate speech, racism, and Islamophobia, and to eradicate the root causes of extremism and incitement in all their forms. It further emphasizes the importance of promoting mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and human fraternity among followers of different religions and cultures. The Council also expresses its solidarity with the victims of this tragic incident and their families.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its sincere congratulations to the Arab and Islamic nations, as well as to Muslims around the world, on the blessed occasion of Eid Al-Adha. May this blessed occasion bring goodness, prosperity, and blessings to all humanity.

The Council affirms that this blessed occasion comes at a time when the world faces increasing challenges that call for strengthening the values of coexistence and solidarity, promoting a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding, respecting the sovereignty of states, ending wars and conflicts, preserving the security and stability of societies, and fostering collective efforts to support peace, uphold human dignity, and spare the region and the world from the causes of tension and crises.

The Muslim Council of Elders calls for drawing inspiration from the spirit of this blessed occasion by seeking closeness to Almighty Allah and spreading joy to the hearts of the less fortunate, the vulnerable, the deprived, and marginalized. It encourages extending a helping hand, meeting their needs, and offering support. The Council also emphasizes that Eid Al-Adha, with its profound meanings of mercy, generosity, and solidarity, represents a renewed opportunity to reinforce the values of human fraternity, build bridges of understanding among peoples, and promote the values of peace, compassion, and solidarity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the targeting of the vicinity of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region of the United Arab Emirates by a drone, noting that no casualties were reported. The Council reaffirms its unequivocal rejection of such criminal attacks targeting vital facilities and threatening the security and stability of nations, as well as the safety of civilians.

The Council emphasizes that such hostile acts constitute a flagrant violation of international law and norms and pose a serious threat to the security of civilian facilities, infrastructure, and the energy sector. These acts may have far-reaching repercussions for regional and international peace and security.

The Muslim Council of Elders renews its solidarity with the United Arab Emirates—its leadership, government, and people—and expresses its support for all measures taken to safeguard its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents. The Council also calls for strengthened regional and international cooperation to address threats targeting national security and civilian infrastructure, and to promote the values of peace and stability while ensuring the protection of all communities and societies.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, the acts of vandalism and attacks targeting the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of the Head of Mission in the Syrian capital, Damascus. The Council also denounces the unacceptable abuse directed at the national symbols of the United Arab Emirates, describing these actions as a flagrant violation of international norms and conventions.

The Muslim Council of Elders affirms its categorical rejection of all forms of violence and attacks against diplomatic missions and their personnel, stressing that such practices constitute a clear breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic premises and mandates their protection.

The Council calls for ensuring full protection for diplomats and diplomatic missions and for holding those responsible for these attacks fully accountable, in a manner that upholds the rule of law and preserves international relations.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar, extends its sincere condolences to the State of Qatar and the Republic of Türkiye following the martyrdom of seven people as a result of a helicopter crash in the territorial waters of the State of Qatar, following a technical malfunction while carrying out a routine mission.

The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its solidarity with the State of Qatar, the Republic of Türkiye, and the families and relatives of the martyrs—members of the Qatari Armed Forces and the joint Qatari‑Turkish forces—during this painful tragedy.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar, extends its sincere condolences to the State of Kuwait on the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Imad Al‑Sharrah and Major Fahd Abdulaziz Al‑Majamad, members of the General Directorate of Land Border Security, who were martyred while carrying out their national duty to protect and safeguard the borders of their homeland.

The Council expresses its solidarity with the State of Kuwait—its leadership, government, and people—during this painful loss. It prays that Almighty Allah envelops the two martyrs in His boundless mercy, grants them a place in His spacious heavens, and bestows patience and comfort upon their families and loved ones. The Council also prays that Allah protects the State of Kuwait and perpetuates upon it the blessings of security, safety, and stability.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar, strongly condemns the illegal measures undertaken by the Israeli occupation aimed at imposing unlawful sovereignty, expanding settlement activity, and creating a new de facto legal and administrative reality in the occupied West Bank.

The Council affirms its unequivocal rejection of such violations, which seek to accelerate attempts at the unlawful annexation of the West Bank and threaten the forced displacement of the Palestinian people. Such measures constitute a blatant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions. The Council stresses that all unilateral actions intended to alter the legal, historical, or demographic status of Palestinian land—including East Jerusalem—are null, void, and simply illegal.

The Muslim Council of Elders warns that the continuation of expansionist policies and illegal practices in the occupied West Bank represents a dangerous escalation that fuels violence, undermines prospects for peace and stability in the region, and deepens the suffering of the Palestinian people. The Council renews its call to the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibility by seriously working towards a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, by ending over seven decades of ongoing suffering, and ensuring the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to establish an independent state with East 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 extends its deepest condolences to the United Arab Emirates—its leadership, government, and people—on the martyrdom of two members of the Armed Forces following the crash of a military helicopter due to a technical malfunction whilst carrying out their national duty.

The Council expresses its solidarity with the United Arab Emirates during this painful period, praying that Almighty Allah envelops the two martyrs in His mercy, grants them a place in His vast heavens, and bestows patience and comfort upon their families and loved ones.

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