PRESS RELEASES

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam recognized for his efforts in promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Human Fraternity

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has presented the Astana Medal to Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders for his role in promoting interfaith dialogue and human fraternity. Judge Abdelsalam received the Astana Medial during the opening ceremony of the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan. In attendance during the opening ceremony were His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders along with His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church and a host of world and religious leaders from around the world. 

Judge Abdelsalm expressed his pride at being presented with the Astana Medal and thanked President Tokayev for providing a healthy platform that supports interfaith dialogue. He also thanked the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions as well as promoting global peace initiatives such as the Document on Human Fraternity. 

Judge Abdelsalam had previously been awarded the Knight Commander with Star of the Order of Pius IX by His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church for his efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue.

The Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders Dr. Sultan Al Remeithi has praised the Arab Republic of Egypt for its role in countering hate speech and extremism, during an online seminar titled ‘Combatting Extremism and Hate Speech: A New Dawn’ which was organized by the TRENDS Research and Advisory center. 

Al Remeithi also acknowledged the commendable role of Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El Sisi in implementing a strategy to stem hate and extremism which would have plunged the entire region into a state of anarchy. He also praised Egypt’s current renaissance and the many development projects underway to enhance Egypt’s standing regionally and internationally.

Dr. Al Remeithi added, “Extremism has crossed international boundaries through its exploitation of social and economic changes in often-complex societal environments. There must be concerted intellectual efforts to address extremism by enlightening and educating people in order to avoid the disaster of creating societies that are incubators for extremism.”