PRESS RELEASES

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.

Secretary-General of Muslim Council of Elders: Humanity faces a pivotal moment in its collective fight against the climate crisis, requiring united commitment and transformative action

Secretary-General of Muslim Council of Elders: Local wisdom carries a rich heritage of traditional knowledge that can contribute to developing effective adaptation strategies

Secretary-General of Muslim Council of Elders: The Faith Pavilion has become a milestone at COP conferences, emphasizing that faith and science are complementary, not opposing forces

The Muslim Council of Elders participated in a panel discussion titled “From Policy to Implementation: How Religious Leaders Can Lead Local Adaptation Efforts,” organized by ‘Religions for Peace’ as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) which was held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, spans two weeks from November 12 to 22.

In remarks delivered on his behalf by Mr. Mohamed Bahr, Director of Strategic Planning at the Council, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, emphasized that humanity stands at a pivotal moment in its collective fight against the climate crisis. This challenge demands a united commitment and transformative actions to achieve meaningful progress. He highlighted that the session’s theme reflects the critical role religious communities play in transforming ethical and moral values, rooted in compassion and stewardship of the Earth, into concrete and effective measures.

The Secretary-General underscored that religions have long been a powerful force for justice and the preservation of humanity and stressed the moral responsibility humanity bears to address environmental challenges and mitigate the disproportionate impacts of the climate crisis on the most vulnerable populations. Religious leaders, he explained, have a unique role as moral guides and trusted figures in their communities, enabling local populations—particularly those with limited resources and access to services—to respond effectively to climate challenges.

Judge Abdelsalam also highlighted the importance of supporting local wisdom, which carries a wealth of traditional knowledge that can contribute to developing effective adaptation strategies. He emphasized that solutions should be co-created with those directly impacted by climate change to ensure they are both effective and relevant. He also praised the ‘Faith Pavilion’ which is organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with a global coalition of religious organizations, as a milestone in COP conferences. This pavilion has successfully united religious leaders, scientists, and policymakers to explore solutions to climate challenges. 

The Secretary-General concluded by stressing the need to transition from policy-making to implementation. He called on governments and international organizations to establish robust frameworks and policies while encouraging religious leaders to offer moral guidance and community outreach and that by working together, these stakeholders can form a powerful alliance that empowers communities to lead climate adaptation efforts effectively and decisively.

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 the Republic of India and the Indian people in the wake of the landslides in the state of Kerala, which have resulted in many deaths and injuries.

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims during this difficult time and wishes the injured a swift recovery.

Under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders expresses its solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and the victims of the seasonal flooding that affected the northwestern region of the country leading to tens of deaths and injuries as well as heavy damage and destruction. 

The Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the people of Afghanistan as well as the families of the victims, praying to the Almighty to grant the injured a speedy recovery.

Pray for His Eminence the Great Imam A.S. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyib, Sheikh Al-Azhar Sharif, Chairman of the Council of Muslim Wise Men, with more satisfaction with Allah’s judgement and destiny, Sheikh Haza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who passed away yesterday, asking the Almighty to rest him with His mercy and great forgiveness.

His Excellency the Grand Imam offers sincere condolences to His Highness Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and the sons of Zayed the noble, and the general uncle of Al Nahyan, and the brotherly people of the Emirates, urging the Mawli – Az wa Jall – to inspire the family of the deceased patience and solwan, {ِنَّا لِلّهِ وَلّهِ النَّا إ ِلَی ويهِ رَاجِعونَ}.

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders offers condolences to the President of the UAE for the passing of Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, expresses with deep acceptance of Allah’s will the passing of Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who passed away yesterday. Praying that the Almighty envelope him in His vast mercy and forgiveness.

His Eminence the Grand Imam, extends his heartfelt condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates as well as the Al Nahyan family, and the entire people of the United Arab Emirates. He invokes the Almighty to grant the family of the deceased patience and solace during these difficult times. To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return.

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, welcomes the UN Security Council’s adoption of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, leading to a durable and sustainable cessation of hostilities. The Council emphasizes the urgent need to increase aid and calls for the removal of all obstacles to its delivery.

The Council expresses hope that this decision will alleviate the ongoing suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians, which has persisted for over five months, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties and creating catastrophic humanitarian conditions. Hundreds of thousands have lost their homes and shelters, facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and necessities.

The Muslim Council of Elders urges the international community to press for and actively and urgently facilitate the delivery of medical, relief, and humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza. It calls for further decisive steps to permanently halt the aggression in Gaza, reaffirming its steadfast and unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.