PRESS RELEASES

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.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the criminal attacks that have recently taken place in the United Kingdom, targeting a mosque in Peacehaven, near the city of Brighton on the country’s southern coast, which was deliberately set on fire, as well as a Jewish synagogue in Manchester, resulting in casualties and injuries.

The Council firmly rejects such acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship and a blatant assault on human values, societal principles, and the teachings of all religions and divine laws, as well as international conventions that call for respecting religions and protecting their sacred sites. It stresses that attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies.

The Muslim Council of Elders further warns against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism, and Islamophobia. It urges the international community to join efforts to promote the values of dialogue, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and human fraternity. These are the very principles enshrined in the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the late Pope Francis, former Head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019, to build a world grounded in peace, mutual understanding, and respect among followers of all religions and cultures.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirms that education is the greatest of all human missions. It stresses that teachers are the cornerstone in shaping minds, nurturing awareness, and instilling the values of mercy, coexistence, and understanding among peoples and cultures.

In a statement marking World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on October 5, the Council commends the noble role played by teachers in building human character and upholding ethical and humanitarian values. It notes that no nation can prosper without its scholars and educators, who illuminate the paths of generations with knowledge and wisdom. The Council further calls for enhancing the status of teachers and empowering them to fulfill their mission in the best possible manner. The Council further emphasized that investing in education and educators is an investment in the future, peace, and stability of humanity.

The Muslim Council of Elders also expresses its deep appreciation for the dedicated efforts and continuous sacrifices made by teachers in carrying out their noble duty, particularly in areas affected by conflict, war, and crisis. It underscores that their humanitarian role in such contexts represents the highest forms of devotion and selflessness, extending its heartfelt tribute and gratitude to all teachers around the world in recognition of their sincerity, perseverance, and commitment to building minds, instilling values, and fostering hope, coexistence, and peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed on the occasion of the International Day of Non-Violence — observed annually on October 2 — its categorical rejection of all forms and manifestations of violence. The Council stressed that our world today is in greater need than ever of promoting a culture of dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

In its statement marking this occasion, the Council emphasized that the message of Islam is one of mercy and peace, as God Almighty says: “We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a mercy for the whole world” (The Qur’an, 21: 107). It further affirmed that all divine religions and heavenly laws have never been messengers of violence, wars, or conflict, but rather calls to love, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders continues to exert great efforts to confront all forms of violence, extremism, hatred, intolerance, and Islamophobia. It consistently calls for the promotion of peace and the spread of values of dialogue, coexistence, and mutual respect through various global initiatives. Among these are the Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF), the Student Dialogues for Human Fraternity program, and numerous international conferences that affirm the principles of citizenship, respect for diversity and pluralism, and the call for peace and dialogue — including East–West and intra-Islamic dialogue.

The Document on Human Fraternity, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the late Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church at the time, underscores the necessity of rejecting violence, hatred, and intolerance. It calls for spreading a culture of dialogue and coexistence as the only path to safeguarding human dignity and building a secure and peaceful future for all humanity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has expressed its deep solidarity with the Republic of Indonesia following the tragic collapse of a school in Sidoarjo, East Java. The incident resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, while several students remain trapped beneath the rubble.

In a statement, the Council extended its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Indonesia, as well as to the families of the victims. It prayed that Almighty God may envelop the deceased students in His boundless mercy, grant them a place in His eternal gardens, and bestow patience and solace upon their loved ones. The Council also expressed hope for the success of ongoing rescue operations and wished the injured a swift and full recovery.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that the annual celebration of the International Day of Older Persons on October 1 is not merely a symbolic event. Rather, it serves as a reminder of the esteemed position of older persons, an opportunity to honor their lifelong contributions, and a moment to acknowledge their pivotal role in building societies, nurturing generations, and upholding values.

In a statement marking this occasion, the Council underscored that Islam accords the elderly an exalted and dignified status. God Almighty has linked kindness to parents with His own worship, saying: “Worship Allah ˹alone˺ and associate none with Him. And be kind to parents” (The Qur’an, 4: 36). Likewise, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) urged respect and compassion, saying: “He is not one of us who does not show respect to our elders and mercy to our young” (Narrated by Ahmad). These teachings affirm that caring for the elderly is a religious, moral, and social obligation — one that embodies the essence of humane values founded upon mercy and benevolence.

The Muslim Council of Elders further highlighted the importance of safeguarding the dignity of older persons, recognizing them as the living memory of humanity — the custodians of its identity and accumulated wisdom. They embody a wealth of life experience and insight. The Council emphasized that passing down such wisdom and experience across generations strengthens societies in times of crisis and lays the groundwork for a more balanced and resilient future. It called for the enactment of laws and policies that ensure a dignified life for older persons, including access to comprehensive health, social, and psychological care, as well as programs that promote their active participation in community life in appreciation of their worth and in affirmation of their right to live with dignity.

The Muslim Council of Elders also reaffirmed its firm commitment to protecting the rights of older persons. In May of this year, it launched — in collaboration with the Catholic Church and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) — a global document in support of older persons and the preservation of their dignity. This initiative presents a unified vision aimed at strengthening collective efforts to support the elderly and uphold their rights to independence and full participation in society. It also seeks to shield them from all forms of discrimination, abuse, exploitation, and neglect, and to provide effective remedies where such violations occur. Moreover, it calls for empowering older persons to make informed choices for themselves and their families, and for ensuring access to high-quality healthcare that responds to their personal needs and respects their individual preferences.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the attack targeting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, USA, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of a number of people.

The Muslim Council of Elders unequivocally rejects all forms of violence and terrorism, which are contrary to the teachings of divine religions, international laws, norms, and human and moral values. These principles prohibit attacks on places of worship and assaults on innocent civilians. The Council calls for intensified international efforts to promote the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its heartfelt condolences to the United States of America and to the families and loved ones of the victims of this heinous attack, praying that Almighty Allah grants a swift recovery to those injured.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar affirms that the right to access information is a cornerstone for upholding justice and transparency, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding among peoples and cultures, and contributing to a more equitable and unified world.

In a statement on the International Day for Universal Access to Information, observed annually on September 28, the Muslim Council of Elders emphasized that providing youth with access to reliable knowledge is a vital step toward empowering generations to contribute meaningfully to humanity’s progress and to build a more informed and cohesive future. The Council urged media, cultural, and educational institutions to fulfill their ethical responsibilities by disseminating accurate information and combating misinformation, thereby promoting societal harmony and reinforcing the values of human fraternity.

Additionally, the Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that ensure universal access to information without discrimination, rooted in the belief that knowledge is an inherent human right and a key instrument for achieving sustainable development and fostering cooperation and solidarity among nations and peoples. The Council also underscores that universal access to information plays a critical role in shaping a future built on justice, transparency, and shared responsibility.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, extends his heartfelt condolences to His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Sistani on the passing of his wife. May Allah envelop the deceased in His boundless mercy and grants her family and loved ones patience and solace.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return.”

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, mourns the passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President of the Council of Senior Scholars, and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Fatwa. Sheikh Abdulaziz passed away today after a distinguished career marked by profound scholarly and religious contributions.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its heartfelt condolences to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia; His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister; and the people of Saudi Arabia on the loss of the esteemed Sheikh. May Almighty Allah envelops him in His boundless mercy, grant him a place in the vast gardens of Paradise, and provide his family, loved ones, students, and admirers with patience and solace. “Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him, we shall return.”