PRESS RELEASES

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, condemns the Israeli military strike on the Islamic Republic of Iran and warns of its serious repercussions for regional and global security and stability.

The Council calls on the international community to take the necessary measures to de-escalate the situation, prevent the expansion of the conflict, and support diplomatic efforts aimed at fostering international peace and security.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its sincere condolences to the Republic of India following the tragic crash of an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad Airport, which resulted in the loss of dozens of lives.

The Council expresses its deepest sympathy and solidarity with the families and loved ones of the victims of this tragic incident.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Council hopes that this step will contribute to enhancing security and stability in South Asia and across the world.

The Council calls on both parties to uphold the terms of the agreement, to heed the voice of reason, and to act with wisdom by prioritizing dialogue and mutual understanding. Such an approach will help avert further tensions in the region and foster the values of coexistence, ultimately fulfilling the aspirations of the two neighboring peoples for peace, stability, and prosperity.

The Muslim Council of Elders expresses its appreciation for all efforts aimed at ending wars and conflicts, and prays for peace to prevail across the globe so that humanity may enjoy goodness, prosperity, security, and stability.

It is worth noting that the Muslim Council of Elders had previously called on both the Indian and Pakistani sides to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid descending into the abyss of war that would endanger the security and stability of their nations, their peoples, and the world.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, calls on the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to exercise restraint and de-escalation, and to avoid sliding into the abyss of war—one that would endanger the security and stability of both nations, their peoples, and the wider world.

The Council stresses the importance of heeding the voice of reason, embracing wisdom, and prioritizing dialogue and mutual understanding. It urges both parties to work towards a peaceful resolution, avoid fueling tensions in the region, and uphold the values of coexistence in a manner that fulfills the aspirations of the two neighboring peoples for stability and prosperity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, strongly condemns the tragic killing of a Muslim worshipper who was fatally stabbed inside a mosque in the village of La Grand-Combe in the Gard region of southern France. The attacker stabbed the victim multiple times, filmed him with a mobile phone as he lay dying, and shouted insults against Islam.

The Council firmly rejects this heinous terrorist act, which stands in stark contradiction to the moral and humanitarian values upheld by all divine religions, international laws, and universal traditions that call for peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and acceptance of others. It also stresses the urgent need to intensify efforts to combat Islamophobia and to enact binding legislation that criminalizes attacks on individuals and insults against religious figures and sacred sanctities, ensuring that all people can live in peace and security.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim, praying that Almighty God grant him His infinite mercy and a place in His vast Paradise. The Council also expresses its hope that the relevant authorities will swiftly apprehend the perpetrator and bring him to justice.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirms that Islam has greatly elevated the status of mothers and strongly advocates for their appreciation, respect, and compassionate care, in recognition of their enduring sacrifices and unwavering devotion to their children. Allah Almighty says in the Glorious Quran: “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age while with you, say not to them so much as, ‘uff,’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” (The Quran, 17:23) And also: “And We have enjoined upon man care for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship.” (The Quran, 46:15) The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) further emphasized the mother’s esteemed position, saying: “Paradise lies at her feet”. Islam, the Council emphasized, urges righteousness and dutifulness toward one’s parents—even after their passing—through praying for them, seeking forgiveness on their behalf, fulfilling their commitments, maintaining the bonds of kinship that stem from them, and honoring their close friends.

On this special occasion, the Muslim Council of Elders extends its deepest respect and appreciation to all mothers across the Arab and Muslim worlds, and to mothers worldwide, for their unmatched contributions in nurturing, compassion, kindness, and raising generations upon the values of goodness, compassion, and peace.

The Council also calls upon academic, religious, and media institutions—on this Mother’s Day—to help further promote and elevate the role of mothers in society, in recognition of their rights and in support of their noble mission. A mother, the Council affirms, is the cornerstone of future generations and a wellspring of values such as tolerance, compassion, and peaceful coexistence.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirms that Zayed Humanitarian Day represents a celebration of the highest values of giving, tolerance, and human fraternity. It draws inspiration from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, whose life was dedicated to spreading goodness, compassion, peace, mercy, and solidarity among people of all backgrounds.

His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, emphasizes that commemorating Zayed Humanitarian Day is a significant opportunity to reflect on the legacy of goodness and humanitarian work established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul. As the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, he transformed the nation into a leading model of compassion, tolerance, and human fraternity, extending a helping hand to all those in need.

The Secretary-General further highlights that Sheikh Zayed left behind a lasting, inspiring, and sustainable humanitarian legacy that continues to guide advocates of goodness, peace, and coexistence worldwide. He notes that the UAE and its wise leadership remain committed to following in the footsteps of their visionary founder through diverse initiatives and pioneering projects that spread kindness and goodwill across the globe

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, emphasizes the urgent need to promote dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace in response to the growing rhetoric of hatred, extremism, discrimination, and Islamophobia.

In a statement marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed annually on March 15 by the United Nations General Assembly, the Council reaffirmed that Islam is a religion of tolerance, coexistence, and peace. It also warned against efforts by far-right groups to spread negative stereotypes about Islam for political and partisan gain.

The Council called for concrete action to counter Islamophobia, including fostering dialogue between East and West, encouraging the positive integration of Muslims in their societies, and enacting laws that criminalize attacks on others or insults to their religious symbols and sanctities.

The Muslim Council of Elders remains committed to promoting Islamic values of tolerance and enlightened, moderate thought in the face of bigotry, extremism, racism, and discrimination. It continues to lead inspirational initiatives and programs, such as East-West dialogue tours, international peace convoys, the Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF), student dialogue programs on human fraternity, and Ramadan convoys around the world.

The Document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 in Abu Dhabi by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, upholds that freedom is a fundamental right for all human beings, including freedom of belief, thought, expression, and practice. It affirms that religious, racial, and cultural diversity is part of God’s divine will, forming the foundation for human rights, freedom of belief, and respect for differences. Moreover, it rejects any form of coercion in matters of faith, culture, or way of life, asserting that no ideology or civilization should be imposed upon others against their will.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, emphasizes the critical importance of advancing education and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. These efforts are essential for building and empowering generations capable of upholding the values of coexistence, tolerance, and human fraternity.

In a statement marking the International Day of Education, observed annually on January 24th, the Council underscored that access to an inclusive educational environment offering equal opportunities is a fundamental right for every individual, particularly in regions affected by conflicts, wars, and rising poverty rates. The Council stressed that investing in and developing education is vital for equipping generations with knowledge, enabling them to keep pace with technological advancements, foster dialogue, and achieve sustainable development.

The statement further emphasized that Islam elevates the status of knowledge and learning, recognizing them as the foundation for building civilizations and ensuring their advancement and prosperity. Allah Almighty says: “Allah will exalt those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge, in high degrees” [The Quran, 58:11], and “Say, are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only those of understanding are mindful” [The Quran, 39:9]. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise” [Reported in Sahih Muslim]. These verses and teachings highlight the indispensable role of education in the progress of nations and societies.

The Muslim Council of Elders is deeply committed to raising awareness about the importance of education, eradicating intellectual illiteracy, correcting misconceptions, countering extremist ideologies, and promoting the values of tolerance and cultural and human coexistence. Notably, Al-Hokama Publishing offers a diverse range of publications addressing key intellectual and cultural issues, emphasizing the importance of reading, learning, and promoting enlightened, moderate thought.

The Council also organizes specialized programs to empower children and youth to champion the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace. Among these is the Ethics Education Fellowship Program for children, conducted in collaboration with international institutions and organizations, which aims to instill human values within educational systems. This program has benefited over 8,000 children across six countries worldwide. Similarly, the Azadi Fellowship in Pakistan has trained 25 young men and women from various sects to foster religious and cultural dialogue and counter extremism. Additionally, the Council has launched the Global Student Dialogues Program in partnership with Georgetown University to educate university students about the values of human fraternity and strengthen interfaith and intercultural solidarity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, extends its heartfelt solidarity to the Republic of Azerbaijan following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane in Kazakh airspace, which claimed the lives of dozens.

The Council offers its deepest condolences to the Republic of Azerbaijan, led by H.E. President Ilham Aliyev, as well as to the government and people of Azerbaijan, and to the families and loved ones of the victims. We pray to the Almighty to grant the injured a swift recovery.