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 on a mosque in northern Nigeria, which claimed the lives of several innocent civilians.

The Council unequivocally rejects such terrorist acts, which contravene the tolerant teachings of Islam, all divine religions, and international conventions and norms that prohibit attacks on places of worship and mandate their protection, preservation, and respect. The Council calls for resolute action against extremist groups that aim to sow destruction, chaos, and instability, while urging intensified efforts to combat extremist ideologies and promote values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its heartfelt condolences to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, its leadership, and people for the victims of this heinous attack, praying to Almighty Allah to grant their families and loved ones patience and solace.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, calls for intensified international efforts to address the escalating humanitarian crises worldwide, which have deprived millions of civilians of essential needs such as food, water, and medicine due to wars, conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change.

In a statement issued on World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19, the Muslim Council of Elders emphasizes that providing aid to the afflicted, refugees, displaced, and homeless is among the most noble values upheld by all divine religions, particularly Islam, which establishes mercy and solidarity as the foundation of human interactions. The Council underscores the critical need to uphold human dignity and restore hope to millions of innocent people who have lost security and shelter.

The Council further stresses the urgent need to ensure adequate protection for humanitarian and relief workers, calling for an end to the attacks and violations they face while carrying out their noble duties. It urges the international community to enhance cooperation and solidarity to safeguard their lives and support their efforts.

The Muslim Council of Elders continues its commitment to promoting dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, emphasizing the importance of human and social solidarity as outlined in the historic Document on Human Fraternity. Co-signed in 2019 in Abu Dhabi by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the late Pope Francis, former Pope of the Catholic Church, the document laid the foundation for a more just, compassionate, and equitable world.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, offers its deepest condolences to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria for the victims of a bus accident in Oued El Harrach, in the capital, Algiers, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.

The Council expresses its full solidarity with the Republic of Algeria, its people, and the families of the victims, praying to Almighty Allah for a swift recovery for those injured.

The Muslim Council of Elders,  under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich approving the construction of 3,400 new settlement units in the West Bank and surrounding Jerusalem, targeting Palestinian state territory.

The Council categorically rejects these provocative and escalatory actions by the Israeli occupation, which contravene United Nations charters, international laws, and Security Council resolutions, undermining efforts to achieve peace in the region and beyond.

The Muslim Council of Elders reiterates its urgent call to the international community to address Israel’s violations against the Palestinian people, halt the aggression in the Gaza Strip, oppose starvation policies and forced displacement attempts, and uphold the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to establish an independent state with 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 statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the so-called “Greater Israel vision,” which reflect expansionist colonial ambitions.

The Council categorically rejects such statements, which represent a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international laws while also disregarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity which in turn undermines efforts to achieve peace, and threatens regional and global security and stability.

The Muslim Council of Elders calls on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and act urgently to counter such violations by halting Israel’s aggression against the Palestinian people and rejecting the starvation policies and attempts at forced displacement, whilst also ending the Palestinian people’s suffering that has persisted for over seven decades, and affirming their legitimate right to establish an independent state with 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, affirms that youth are the cornerstone of the present, the driving force of the future, and the foundation for the progress of nations and the development of societies. The Council urges the urgent need to empower youth and foster their active participation in peacebuilding, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

In a statement released on International Youth Day, which is observed on August 12 each year, the Muslim Council of Elders highlighted that this year’s theme, “Local Youth Initiatives for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals and Beyond,” underscores the critical need to harness the energy and innovative ideas of youth in promoting peace, addressing global challenges, and advancing partnerships and technological initiatives to create a more inclusive and equitable world.

The Council emphasized that investing in youth education, enhancing their digital and social skills, and providing a supportive environment for their creativity is the most effective way to ensure prosperous futures for nations. Proven experiences demonstrate the ability of youth to make significant impacts in their communities through innovation, entrepreneurship, and volunteerism.

The Muslim Council of Elders places great importance on empowering youth for creativity and innovation, driven by its firm belief in the need to cultivate a generation capable of fostering peace and human coexistence. This is achieved through a range of targeted initiatives, including the “Emerging Peacemakers Forum,” the “Student Dialogues on Human Fraternity Program,” the “Ethics Education Program,” the “Azadi Fellowship for Promoting Dialogue and Coexistence,” and other initiatives that enhance youth’s role in tackling global challenges and fostering a positive sense of belonging.

The Muslim Council of Elders warmly welcomes the announcement of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, recognizing it as a historic step toward achieving peace and stability in the Caucasus region.

The Council praises this agreement and the sincere efforts led by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, which laid the groundwork for this landmark accord. The agreement reflects both nations’ commitment to ending the conflict and fostering peace. The Council reaffirms its support for all initiatives aimed at promoting peace, reconciliation, and the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity.

The Muslim Council of Elders urges all international actors to support this agreement and ensure its full implementation, thereby contributing to strengthened regional and global peace and security. It renews its call to all nations and peoples to embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence, reject violence and hate, and collaborate to build a brighter future defined by peace, understanding, and harmony.

Muslim Council of Elders Urges the Global Conscience for Urgent Action to Halt Aggression in Gaza and Protect Innocent Civilians

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the Israeli government’s ministerial council decision to occupy the Gaza Strip. The Council asserts that such actions constitute a flagrant violation of the Palestinian people’s rights and undermine efforts to achieve peace and a just, comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue.

The Council emphasizes that the Israeli occupation’s ongoing provocations and grave violations against the Palestinian people—including continued killings, starvation policies, and attempts at forced displacement—which threaten dire consequences for peace and security in the region and beyond.

The Muslim Council of Elders renews its urgent appeal to the global conscience to act swiftly to stop the aggression on the Gaza Strip and protect innocent civilians. It calls on the international community to uphold its legal, moral, and humanitarian responsibilities to end the Palestinian people’s suffering, which has endured for over seven decades, and to affirm their legitimate right to establish an independent state with 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 incursion into the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, accompanied by settlers under the protection of Israeli occupation police.

The Council categorically rejects such extremist acts of provocation, which are a flagrant violation of international laws and conventions. Likewise, the Council demands an immediate cessation of these repeated campaigns of incitement, hatred and violence whilst calling for accountability for those responsible. The Council also urges robust protection for religious sanctities and an end to the ongoing violations against the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Muslim Council of Elders renews its call to the international community to take urgent action to halt these violations and all forms of aggression against the Palestinian people. It calls for a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue, ending the seven-decade suffering endured by the Palestinian people, and affirming their legitimate right to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.