PRESS RELEASES

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Arab and Muslim nations on the occasion of the Prophet’s Birthday anniversary. The Council prays to Almighty God to bless this auspicious occasion for all humanity with goodness, prosperity, and blessings.

The Muslim Council of Elders affirms that the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) marked a profound turning point in human history. He laid the foundations of compassion, justice, and peace, called for coexistence and human fraternity, and promoted the values of tolerance and cooperation among all people. The Council emphasizes that commemorating this occasion provides a renewed opportunity to draw inspiration from the noble values brought by the noble Messenger (peace be upon him), and to reaffirm the commitment to follow his path in advancing goodness, love, and peace.

On this occasion, the Council calls upon the Muslim Ummah to emulate the character of the Prophet, revive his Sunnah, study his biography, and follow his guidance in all aspects of life. It underscores that the divine, moral, and legislative teachings embodied in the Prophetic tradition represent a roadmap to salvation for the Muslim Ummah and for the entire world.

The Muslim Council of Elders further reiterates that celebrating this great occasion is an inspiring opportunity to strengthen the unity of the Muslim Ummah, bring its people together, and foster its solidarity—especially in light of the challenges facing our world today. These challenges require a unified Arab and Islamic stance to end the aggression on Gaza, confront attempts of forced displacement, and affirm the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish their 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 heartfelt condolences to Sudan for the victims of the catastrophic landslide that devastated an entire village in the Darfur region of western Sudan, claiming the lives of over a thousand men, women, and children.

The Council stands in solidarity with the Sudanese people during this immense tragedy, which is one of the worst natural disasters in Sudan’s modern history. The Council urges the international community and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent support to those affected and assist in recovering the bodies of the deceased from the rubble, praying to Almighty Allah to grant the families and loved ones of the victims patience and solace.

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 Afghanistan for the victims of the earthquake that struck the eastern part of the country, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of people.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its heartfelt condolences to Afghanistan and the families of the victims, praying to Almighty Allah for a swift recovery for the 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 attack on a humanitarian convoy in North Darfur, Sudan.

The Council categorically rejects such attacks, which represent a serious violation of international humanitarian law. It underscores the critical need to ensure the safety and security of civilians and humanitarian and relief workers, adhere to the provisions of the Jeddah Declaration, secure humanitarian and relief aid corridors, and prioritize the welfare and protection of the Sudanese people from the impacts of war.

The Muslim Council of Elders renews its call for an immediate ceasefire as well as the facilitation of access to humanitarian and relief aid, and intensified international efforts to end the conflict and realize the Sudanese people’s aspirations for peace 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 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.