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The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair presents to its visitors the book “Religion and the Nations of Greater Asia: Managing Religious and Ethnic Pluralism in China and India.” This is one of the Council’s latest publications for 2025 and is a collaborative work by the team behind the project Peace and the Religious and Ethnic Map of Asia, published by the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research.

The book delves into the study of religious and ethnic pluralism in Asia, with a particular focus on China and India as the two most populous and societally diverse nations. It also addresses the complexity of the concept of identity, shaped by a rich historical and cultural heritage. It examines how this diverse heritage has endured, maintaining its strong presence as a unique global model to this day.

The book emphasizes that Asia represents the most religiously and ethnically diverse geographical area for Muslims, given the global demographic map. Moreover, this geographical expanse is a key determinant for assessing future global power dynamics and interactions, particularly with the rise of China and India in cultural, economic, and strategic dimensions. The book argues that global peace largely depends on achieving stability in Asia, as the aspects of cooperation and conflict within the region inevitably extend to other parts of the world, including Africa, the Arab World, Europe, and the Americas.

The book also highlights that the reality and future of Muslims in Asia cannot be separated from the historical development of other nations, religions, and civilizations in the region, such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Christianity, and others. Given the diverse ethnicities and languages of Muslims in this region, it is natural for there to be connections between the same ethnic groups that form parts of the ethnic makeup of other religions and philosophies.

The book points out that religious considerations are not the primary factor behind the outbreak of many conflicts in Asia or elsewhere. Instead, religion is sometimes used as a tool to serve other objectives. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the particularities of each crisis in Asia and examine them in their various contexts and extensions, both domestically and internationally.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a dedicated stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, running from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide array of the Council’s distinguished publications, alongside a series of seminars, activities, and events aimed at promoting values of goodness, love, peace, and coexistence among all people.

The Council’s stand is located next to Al-Azhar’s stand in Hall 4 (Heritage Hall) at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo’s Fifth Settlement.

The Muslim Council of Elders is taking part in the 56th Cairo International Book Fair with a special stand. The fair will take place under the theme ‘Read… In the Beginning Was the Word,’ from January 23 to February 5, 2025, in Cairo, the Egyptian capital. The Council’s participation is driven by its mission to promote peace, foster values of dialogue and tolerance, and build bridges of cooperation and coexistence.

Throughout the fair, the Muslim Council of Elders’ stand will showcase more than 250 diverse intellectual and cultural releases, including several of the latest publications from Al-Hokama Publishing for the year 2025. These include books such as “Religion and the Nations of Greater Asia: Managing Religious and Ethnic Pluralism in China and India,” “Peace in Africa: Studies and Perspectives on Enhancing Stability and Development,” “The Making of International Peace: Drawing from Shared Contexts,” and “International Peace: Shared Values and Institutional Concepts,” authored by a group of researchers from the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research. Additionally, the book “Islam and the West: An Approach to the Causes of Confrontation and a Survey of the Conditions for Intercultural Exchange” by Dr. Mohamed Elbenayadi, “The Quran’s Discourse on Humanity” by Ali Mohamed Hassan Al-Amari, a senior scholar at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, “Imam al-Haramayn and His Influence on the Development of the Ash’ari School” by Ali Mohamed Jaber, a senior scholar at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and “Islamic Principles on Family Planning” by Abu Al-Wafa Al-Maraghi, a senior scholar at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, will also be featured.

Coinciding with the Muslim Council of Elders’ preparations to organize the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in February, in response to the call of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to enhance Islamic affairs and the unity of Muslims, and to affirm that religious fraternity is the driver of human fraternity, the Council’s stand at the Cairo International Book Fair will feature several works addressing this central issue. These include the book “Conflict Management in the Muslim World” by Dr. Idris Qasim, a researcher in foreign policy issues and a Doctor of Public Law, and the book “Problems of the Ummah’s Division into Sunnis and Shiites” by the Islamic thinker Dr. Elias Belka.
 
The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand also features over 20 works by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, aimed at introducing the benevolence of Islam and the richness of its intellectual and philosophical heritage. Among these are “Al-Qawl Al-Tayyib,” “From My Old Notebooks,” “A View on East-West Dialogue,” “An Introduction to the Study of Traditional Logic,” “Discussions on Causes and Objectives,” “On the Sufi Theological Terminology,” “Heritage and Renewal,” “For the Sake of Peace,” “Insights into the Thought of Imam Al-Ash’ari,” “Ethics and Values,” “Towards Contemporary Juridical Ijtihad,” “Aisha, the Mother of the Believers,” and others.

In the same context, the Council’s stand offers several important publications, including “Love in the Holy Quran” by HRH Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the book “The Grand Imam and the Pope: A Thorny Path – A Testimony to the Birth of the Document on Human Fraternity” by Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the book “Rules of Understanding and Mutual Understanding in Thought and Language,” by Dr. Mustafa Benhamza, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the book “Muslims at a Crossroads” by the late Dr. Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouq, and “Interfaith Encounters in Al-Andalus and Morocco” by Dr. Jaafar ben El Haj Soulami. 

 
 Recognizing the importance of translation as a bridge between civilizations in constructive communication, the Muslim Council of Elders continues its diligent efforts to translate numerous books aimed at promoting peace. This year, the Council presents several notable translated publications, including “The Voice of Change” and “Shared Global Values and Making International Peace” by a group of researchers. Additionally, there are other translated works such as “Confronting Islamophobia in Europe” by various researchers, “Islam and Good Governance” by Prof. Dr. Muqtedar Khan, and “Islam, the West, and Tolerance: Conceiving Coexistence” by Aaron Tyler, among others.

Moreover, the Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair hosts over 14 cultural and intellectual seminars featuring a selection of scholars, thinkers, and academics discussing key topics and issues. These include the determinants of human behavior, peace in Africa, Islam and the desired fraternity: goals and means, media and enhancing community awareness, theology and the question of renewal, reason and its stance on the signs of prophethood, Islamic philosophy and contemporary issues and its role in presenting innovative visions to address these issues, as well as Islamic studies and the translation movement, and the Ash’ari doctrine in Western academies.

Notably, the Cairo International Book Fair is one of the largest book fairs in the world, attracting about 5 million visitors annually. It plays a pivotal role in preserving and enhancing cultural identity by providing readers the opportunity to explore their cultural heritage and the latest literary and intellectual releases. It also reflects the diversity of the Arab and human cultural scene and highlights literary works that focus on social and humanitarian issues.
The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair showcases a number of its latest 2025 releases to visitors. Among these, the book ‘Conflict Management in the Muslim World: Roots, Transformations, and Future Prospects,’ authored by Idris Qasim and published by the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, stands out.
 
 
This book aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of conflict, in terms of its various theoretical definitions and practical applications within the Muslim world, exploring its historical, social, political, and geopolitical dimensions. The goal is to offer a deep understanding of the nature of conflict as an integral part of human history and its manifestations in various forms across Muslim societies.
 
 
The book traces the evolution of conflicts through significant historical transformations—from the establishment of the Caliphate to modern nation-states—illustrating how these transformations have shaped current conflicts. It then reviews future scenarios, dedicating an important section of the book to forecasting future developments of conflict within the Muslim world. This involves utilizing scenario analysis techniques to predict possible paths based on the historical patterns of these conflicts and their current trends.
 
 
The book discusses the contribution of social interactions—ethnic, religious, and cultural—to the emergence, formation, and resolution of conflicts within the contexts of Muslim societies. The author calls for a multidisciplinary approach to the study of conflicts in the Muslim world, emphasizing the need to integrate insights from history, sociology, political science, and international relations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of these conflicts.
 
 
The Al Hokama Center for Peace Research hopes that this work, as a part of its program on prospective (futures) studies, will broaden the understanding of the nature of conflicts within the Muslim world. The center aims to offer a clear vision that not only contributes to resolving these conflicts through established peace studies and conflict management techniques but also strengthens the resilience of societies in the Muslim world against all forms of conflict. This initiative aligns with the mission of the Muslim Council of Elders to promote civil and community peace both within this sphere and internationally on a humanitarian level. 
 
 
The structure of the book is divided into four main sections: The first section is titled “Transition from the Caliphate to the State: Preliminary Conditions Leading to Conflict.” The second section is titled “The Dialectics of Internal and External Conflicts or Chronic Fault Lines.” The third section is titled “Chaotic Conflicts: Old Disputes under New Dynamics.” The fourth and final section is titled “Scenarios for Conflict Evolution: A Forward-Looking Perspective.”
 
 
The Muslim Council of Elders is participating with a dedicated stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, running from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand features a wide array of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting values of kindness, amity, peace, and coexistence among all people. 
 
 
The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located next to the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s stand, in the Heritage Hall No. 4, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in the Fifth Settlement.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of prisoners and detainees. The Council commends the efforts of Arab and international actors, particularly those of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Qatar, which played a significant role in achieving this agreement which is expected to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The Council expresses its hope that the international community will come together to ensure the full implementation of all stages of the agreement, establish a lasting ceasefire, facilitate the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, allow the return of displaced individuals, take concrete steps toward the reconstruction of Gaza, and assist the Palestinian people in resuming their normal lives in safety and stability after enduring a severe humanitarian crisis for over 15 months.

The Muslim Council of Elders urges the international community and all relevant stakeholders to continue their efforts in a serious and effective manner to achieve a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue, end the decades-long suffering of the Palestinian people, and secure their legitimate right to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received Dr. Heba Hagrass, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to discuss avenues for enhancing mutual cooperation.

The Grand Imam welcomed Dr. Hagrass and her delegation, emphasizing Islam’s emphasis on ethical and methodological principles in engaging with persons with disabilities. He also highlighted that Islam advocates solidarity, mutual respect, and the safeguarding of individual rights, prohibiting any infringement upon them. His Eminence further stressed the humanitarian essence of Islam, which promotes kindness, dignity, and equity in all interactions.

The Grand Imam also expressed Al-Azhar’s willingness to introduce a dedicated curriculum for primary school students aimed at raising awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities. This curriculum would clarify Islam’s authentic teachings on the subject, dispel misconceptions rooted in outdated societal traditions, and encourage respectful and inclusive treatment and aims to empower individuals with disabilities by ensuring they receive their full rights as prescribed by Islamic teachings.

Dr. Hagrass praised the Grand Imam’s significant role in shaping public attitudes. She underscored the unique capacity of religious scholars to positively influence societal behavior, raise awareness of critical issues, and derive meaningful lessons from religious teachings.

Dr. Hagrass also emphasized the importance of highlighting inspiring figures with disabilities from Islamic history, showcasing their remarkable achievements and contributions to society since it not only enhance the perception of individuals with disabilities but also provide hope to their families and encourage them to invest in the education and empowerment of their children.

The stand of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Cairo International Book Fair offers visitors a selection of its latest publications for 2025. Among the highlights is the book “Peace in Africa: Studies and Visions for Enhancing Stability and Development,” a collective work by the team from the project “Muslim Communities and Peacebuilding in Africa,” published by the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research.

The book highlights a significant paradox concerning Africa: despite its complex and challenging landscape, characterized by difficulties in various aspects of life, fluctuating stability, and declining development indicators across many countries, Africa remains historically important and holds promising potential—materially and culturally. These attributes establish Africa as a continent of the future, fiercely contested by various powers eager to tap into its human and natural resources and secure their economic interests and strategic positions across the region.

The author further explains that despite this, African countries and communities are commonly perceived as being plagued by instability, chronic conflicts, and various disputes. While this portrayal may not fully align with the actual conditions, it continues to attract significant attention from academic circles, intellectuals, community leaders, and research institutions, particularly focusing on these aspects. This interest is especially directed towards the African reality, influenced by these general perceptions on one hand, and by the digital and statistical data about the continent on the other.

This book is the culmination of a collaborative effort within the African Studies program at the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, affiliated with the Muslim Council of Elders. It is part of a broader series of regional studies launched by the center, featuring contributions from approximately thirty scholars and experts in African studies from across the globe, with scholarly works presented in both Arabic and English.

This book delves into the complex dynamics of conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Africa, with a specific emphasis on the Sahel and Sahara regions. It seeks to harness the potential of traditional African knowledge systems and practices in addressing modern challenges, providing practical ideas and insights to bolster peacebuilding efforts across the continent. Additionally, the book calls for a transformative shift in peace studies related to Africa, aiming to better utilize the continent’s expertise, values, and knowledge systems.

The book emphasizes that achieving peace in Africa requires more than just the absence of violence according to the Western liberal understanding; it necessitates active efforts towards reconciliation and coexistence based on principles of human rights, social justice, economic equality, and political justice, with a focus on reconciliation and restoring social and human solidarity.

The book comprises ten chapters. The first chapter, authored by Adil Moussaoui, discusses conflict resolution efforts in Africa, aiming to understand the challenges that hinder peace on the continent. In the second chapter, Mohamed Ashour Mehdi sheds light on the various dimensions of religious extremism and violence within Muslim communities across the continent. The third chapter by Adam Yousif explores the impact of African community cultures on democratic processes. The fourth chapter by Dr. Sodfa Mohamed Mahmoud presents alternative views on Western peace models, emphasizing the role of cultural heritage in resolving conflicts in Africa. The fifth chapter by Lama Gaith offers a detailed case study on managing internal conflict in Mali, focusing on institutional methods.

 
In the sixth chapter, Al-Bashir Al-Kut addresses Islamic political movements in Libya and their impact on regional stability. The seventh chapter, by Rahal Boubrik, discusses “jihadist” groups in the Sahel countries, explaining their ideological and ethnic affiliations. Mustafa Zahran, in the eighth chapter, explores the role of armed Sufi movements in Somalia. In the ninth chapter, Abdulrahman Sebi discusses the role of religious scholars in promoting peace and combating extremism in Mali. Finally, the tenth chapter by Ahmed Al-Salehi assesses the effectiveness of the G5 Sahel Joint Force in enhancing peace and security in the region. Thus, each chapter contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges and potential pathways toward peacebuilding in Africa.

The Muslim Council of Elders participates with a special stand at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, running from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The stand hosts a large number of the Council’s distinguished publications, in addition to organizing a series of seminars, activities, and events focused on promoting values of goodness, amity, peace, and coexistence among all people.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located at the Cairo International Book Fair, Stand B43, Hall No. 4, at the Egypt International Exhibition and Convention Center, in the Fifth Settlement.

His Eminence, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received Dr. Mohamed Shabibah, Yemen’s Minister of Endowments and Guidance, to discuss ways to enhance mutual cooperation.

During the meeting, the Grand Imam reaffirmed Al-Azhar’s readiness to provide all necessary religious and educational support to the people of Yemen. He emphasised Al-Azhar’s and the Muslim Council of Elders’ commitment to strengthening scientific and religious cooperation with Yemen, aiming to promote and reinforce the values of dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

For his part, Yemen’s Minister of Endowments expressed his pleasure in meeting the Grand Imam and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, underscoring Yemen’s deep appreciation for His Eminence’s unwavering support for the causes of the Islamic world. He stated, “Your influence is immense, and your efforts in supporting the issues of the Islamic world are tangible. The people of Yemen hold great respect for your stances on Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon, and other matters of importance to the nation. We have learned from Al-Azhar’s scholars, been nurtured by their knowledge, and drawn inspiration from their teachings. Al-Azhar is our school and mentor, and we take pride in our association with it.”

The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair presents a selection of its 2025 publications, including the book “The Issues of Division in the Ummah: Sunni and Shia – Causes and Solutions” by Professor Elias Belka. This release is timely, coinciding with the Council’s preparations for the forthcoming Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference set to be hosted in the Kingdom of Bahrain in February.
The book explores the historical divisions within the Muslim Ummah, particularly between Sunni and Shia, asserting that these divisions are not predetermined fate but can be transcended. It stresses that the vision for the Ummah’s unity is deeply rooted in the divine revelations of the Noble Quran and the guidance of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family. Based on these fundamental and original sources, the scholarly endeavors of imams, jurists, and scholars were established, giving rise to a rich heritage of diverse jurisprudential and theological schools whose insights continue to benefit the Ummah across generations, despite doctrinal differences. The book advocates for a comprehensive and profound study of these origins to foster a unified future where conflicts are resolved.
Committed to fostering unity and peace, the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research presents this important work by Dr. Elias Belka, a professor at the Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences in Fez and a noted researcher in futures studies. He also serves as the Coordinator of the Pioneering Studies Program at Al Hokama Center for Peace Research. Dr. Belka’s study, through education and dialogue, addresses the divisions within the Muslim Ummah, emphasizing that differences should not impede the quest for mutual understanding and unity among Muslims.
Analyzing the historical roots of the Sunni-Shia split, the book examines the social and political factors perpetuating these divisions, highlighting how contemporary conflicts often mirror historical injustices. The media’s role in emphasizing these divisions further entrenches the cycle of conflict. Dr. Belka proposes viable solutions to foster unity among all Muslims.
This study and other similar works underscore the urgent need for unity as both a cultural imperative and a religious duty to mitigate the impacts of division within the Muslim Ummah. These are among the essential endeavors that scientific and religious institutions should prioritize in their production and scholarly efforts. This approach was highlighted by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, in his historic call for intra-Islamic dialogue at the Bahrain Dialogue Forum. This vision represents the aspirations of all segments of the Muslim Ummah today: Sunni, Shia, Ibadi, and Zaidi, reflecting the Ummah’s collective voice.
The Muslim Council of Elders will feature a prominent pavilion at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, running from January 23 to February 5, 2025. The pavilion will showcase a vast array of the Council’s distinguished publications and host a series of seminars and activities dedicated to promoting values of goodness, peace, and harmonious coexistence among all people.
Located at the Cairo International Book Fair next to the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif pavilion, the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion can be found in Heritage Hall No. 4 at the Egypt International Exhibition and Convention Center, in the Fifth Settlement.

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has emphasized the crucial role of Braille as a bridge of communication connecting persons with visual impairments to diverse fields of knowledge and learning. The Council highlighted how Braille fosters positive societal integration, empowering these individuals to contribute their unique talents and skills to the advancement of communities and nations.

In a statement marking World Braille Day, observed annually on January 4th, the Council called for leveraging modern technologies and artificial intelligence to maximize the benefits of Braille. These efforts, it noted, would encourage persons with visual impairments to read, learn, and engage actively in their societies.

The statement also underscored Islam’s compassion for people of determination, especially persons with visual impairments, advocating for measures to simplify their daily lives and ensure they receive their rightful place in society. Islam honors them in both this world and the hereafter, promising them blessings and rewards. With their remarkable determination and unique abilities, many have achieved outstanding success in fields such as philosophy, management, and the humanities. Islamic history is filled with inspiring examples of their contributions.

The Muslim Council of Elders places great importance on promoting Braille as a tool for spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, peace, and human coexistence. In collaboration with the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, the Council translated the Document on Human Fraternity—signed by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019—into Braille in Arabic, English, and Italian. This initiative ensures that the document is accessible to persons with visual impairments worldwide.

‎#TheMuslimCouncilofElders, led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-‎Azhar Al-Sharif, condemns the car-ramming attack that occurred on the streets of New Orleans ‎and the explosion outside a hotel in Las Vegas, United States, both of which resulted in numerous ‎deaths and injuries‏.‏

The Council unequivocally condemns all forms of violence and terrorism that target innocent ‎individuals, emphasizing that such acts starkly contrast with the compassionate teachings of Islam, ‎all sacred laws, and global conventions and norms. The Council reiterates its call for collective action ‎to combat all forms of hatred, violence, and intolerance, and to promote principles of dialogue, ‎tolerance, and peaceful coexistence‏.‏

The Muslim Council of Elders extends its deepest condolences to the government and citizens of ‎the United States, as well as to the families of the victims, and prays for a swift recovery for those ‎injured‏.‏