PRESS RELEASES

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the terrorist attack that targeted a mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, resulting in the deaths of dozens and injuries to many others.

The Muslim Council of Elders affirms its categorical rejection of such terrorist acts, which contradict the tolerant teachings of the noble Islamic faith and all religions, as well as international conventions and norms that prohibit any infringement on places of worship and call for their protection, preservation, and respect.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its sincere condolences to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and to the families and loved ones of the victims, praying to Almighty Allah to grant the injured a speedy recovery.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar, expresses its solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan following the tragic fire that broke out in a shopping center in the city of Karachi, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries.

The Council extends its deepest condolences to the leadership, government, and people of Pakistan, as well as to the families of the victims of this painful incident, praying to Almighty Allah to grant the injured a swift recovery.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar welcomes the declaration by the State of New York in the United States of America recognizing January as Islamic Heritage Month. The Council regards this positive step as a profound acknowledgment of the civilizational, cultural, and humanitarian contributions of Muslims and their role in enriching societies while promoting values of diversity and coexistence.

The Council affirms that this declaration reflects a growing awareness of the importance of recognizing cultural and religious diversity as a source of strength for societies which also fosters mutual respect, combats hate speech and intolerance, and builds bridges of understanding among followers of different religions and cultures.

The Muslim Council of Elders commends the declaration which also highlights rich Islamic heritage and its enduring contributions to science, academia and the arts while also advancing societal peace and coexistence.

The Council reiterates its call to strengthen joint efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and rapprochement among peoples of all backgrounds, thereby enhancing human fraternity and the values of peace, coexistence, and respect for diversity and cultural pluralism within societies.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack that targeted a mosque during Friday prayers in the city of Homs in the Syrian Arab Republic, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives and injuries among worshippers.

The Council affirms that attacking places of worship, terrorizing worshippers, and shedding innocent blood constitute abhorrent crimes that flagrantly contradict the teachings of Islam, all divine religions, and universal moral and human values. Such acts represent a blatant violation of the fundamental human right to life, security, and freedom of worship.

The Muslim Council of Elders reiterates its absolute rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism, stressing that these criminal acts will never succeed in undermining the unity of nations, destabilizing societies, or distorting the image of religions that came to establish mercy, coexistence, and peace.

The Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Syrian people, praying to Almighty Allah to grant mercy to the deceased, a speedy recovery to the injured, and protection for Syria and its people from all harm and evil.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, condemns in the strongest terms the assaults launched by the Israeli occupation on Syrian territories, which targeted several villages in the Rif Dimashq Governorate—a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of an independent state and of international laws and norms.

The Muslim Council of Elders affirms its categorical rejection of these grave violations, which threaten Syria’s security and stability, exacerbate civilian suffering, and propel the region toward further escalation and instability. It also underscores the imperative of respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity as a fundamental pillar for achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region and the world.

The Muslim Council of Elders calls upon the international community and its United Nations institutions to assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities and take urgent, effective measures to halt the repeated assaults on Syrian territories, while working to prevent any actions that could ignite tensions or threaten regional and international peace and security.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, expresses its sincere condolences to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for the victims of the earthquake that struck the central region of the country, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries.

The Muslim Council of Elders affirms its full solidarity with Bangladesh—its government and people—in this painful affliction, calling for the importance of strengthening the spirit of cooperation and intensifying relief efforts to mitigate the effects of these natural disasters and alleviate the suffering of the affected.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims, praying that Almighty Allah to grant the injured a speedy recovery and to protect Bangladesh and its people from all harm.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, welcomes the ceasefire agreement between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan, which marks a significant step toward de-escalating tensions and laying the foundation for peace and stability in the region.

The Muslim Council of Elders commends both nations for heeding the calls of reason, wisdom, and human conscience, embodying Islamic principles that promote the preservation of life, good neighborliness, and the prioritization of dialogue over violence and conflict. It urges both nations to fully adhere to the agreement’s terms and protect civilians, thereby promoting shared security, development, and stability.

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its support for all sincere efforts aimed at achieving just peace and praises the diplomatic initiatives and tireless efforts of the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey in fostering an environment conducive to constructive dialogue and facilitating mutual understanding between the two narions, contributing to realizing the aspirations of the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan for peace and development.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, welcomes the announcement of the agreement on the first phase of the ceasefire framework to end the aggression on the Gaza Strip, secure the release of all prisoners and hostages, and allow the entry of humanitarian and relief aid—following more than two years of severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people and the immense losses in lives and property caused by the aggression.

The Council affirms that the ceasefire represents a necessary step towards ending the tragedy of innocent civilians and strengthening urgent humanitarian and relief efforts. It calls on all active international parties to ensure the implementation of the agreement’s provisions in all its phases, paving the way for a genuine path toward a just and lasting peace, ending the suffering of the Palestinian people, and guaranteeing their inalienable legitimate rights—foremost among them, the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Muslim Council of Elders also expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the United States of America, and all Arab, Islamic, and international efforts that have contributed to reaching this agreement. The Council reaffirms its support for all initiatives aimed at achieving stability and peace in the region and the world, while urging the international community and humanitarian and relief organizations to intensify immediate efforts to assist those affected and to provide the necessary support for the reconstruction of what has been destroyed by the aggression.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, mourns—with deep faith in God’s will and decree—the passing of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem, Member of Al-Azhar’s Council of Senior Scholars, Professor of Hadith and its Sciences at the Faculty of Fundamentals of Religion, and former President of Al-Azhar University, who passed away at dawn today after a lifetime devoted to spreading knowledge and serving the noble Prophetic Tradition.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its heartfelt condolences to His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Council of Senior Scholars, the family of the late scholar, his colleagues, students, and admirers across the world. The Council prays that Almighty God grant the late Prof. Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem His boundless mercy and admit him to His spacious paradise, and bless his family and loved ones with patience and solace. Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return.