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Dr. Samir Boudinar: The Muslim Council of Elders is Keen on Offering Intellectual and Cultural Works that Contribute to Peacebuilding Among Nations and Different Communities

Dr. Bennacer El Bouazzati Commends the Efforts and Initiatives of the Muslim Council of Elders and Its Leading Research Outputs in the Field of Peace Studies

Dr. Said Bentajar: The Book “Conceptualizing Peace During the European Renaissance” Reveals Significant Paths that Contributed to the Development of Modern Political Philosophy in European Thought

The Pavilion of the Muslim Council of Elders at the 29th International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat hosted a seminar titled “Conceptualizing Peace During the European Renaissance.” The seminar was presented by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, Dr. Bennacer El Bouazzati, former Professor at the Faculty of Letters and Humanities in Rabat, and Dr. Said Bentajar, Professor of Philosophy and Logic at Hassan II University in Casablanca.

At the beginning of the seminar, Dr. Samir Boudinar pointed out that the book “Conceptualizing Peace During the European Renaissance” by its author Dr. Bennacer El Bouazzati is an important publication regarding the study of peace at the beginning of the European Renaissance. He emphasized that the Muslim Council of Elders published this book as part of its mission to promote a culture of human fraternity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, shedding light on all intellectual and cultural publications contributing to the creation and construction of peace among nations and different communities.

Dr. Bennacer El Bouazzati praised the efforts and initiatives of the Muslim Council of Elders and its research in the field of peace studies, indicating that the idea for the book “Conceptualizing Peace During the European Renaissance” originated from a lecture organized by the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research. He also provided historical insights into the emergence of the concept of “peace” among various philosophers in European history, starting from the Middle Ages, and the historical development of the concept of peace in European thought, illustrating the evolution that occurred in European thought from the fourth to the fourteenth century AD, and the debates and differences that accompanied this development.

Dr. Said Bentajar, Professor of Philosophy and Logic at Hassan II University in Casablanca, affirmed that the book reveals significant paths that contributed to the development of modern political philosophy in European thought, starting from the emergence of the concept of the “social contract.” He added that this book tracks the evolution of several concepts regarding the mechanisms of system development in Europe throughout history, as well as some discussions and heresies encountered by the concept of “peace” and the emergence of mental methodologies in thinking.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat, with over 220 editions in 5 different languages, including 22 new releases that address the most important intellectual and cultural issues. Additionally, the council is organizing a number of discussion and seminars with the participation of scholars, thinkers, writers, intellectuals, academics, and university professors. This stems from the council’s vision and its mission aimed at promoting peace and fostering the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. The council’s pavilion is located at booth C18 at the OLM Souissi site in Rabat.

On the International Day of Living Together in Peace

Muslim Council of Elders: Our World Desperately Needs the Voice of Peace Instead of the Language of War and Conflicts Today

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirms that the values of peace and coexistence are fundamental pillars for achieving progress and prosperity in different nations and societies and that Islam urges the spread of peace among people, prohibits killing, bigotry, and discrimination, and commands equality in rights and duties, as well as preserving the dignity of every human being regardless of their color, race, or religion.

In a statement on the International Day of Living Together in Peace, observed on May 16 of each year, the Council emphasizes the urgent need for the voice of peace instead of the language of wars and conflicts witnessed in many regions around the world today. They firmly believe that tolerance and goodwill are inherent core values rooted in human nature, and that peace is the optimal and sole choice for building a promising future for coming generations, characterized by dignified living and stability without any religious, racial, or cultural divisions.

The statement highlighted that since its inception, the Muslim Council of Elders has been committed to fostering and promoting a culture of peace, acceptance, and respect for others, as well as confronting extremist ideologies and all forms of hatred, bigotry, and discrimination. It has also worked on implementing and launching various pioneering initiatives and projects, including the East-West dialogues culminating in the signing of the Human Fraternity Document by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Additionally, the Council initiated International Peace Convoys that traversed continents, holding numerous religious seminars, intellectual meetings, and scientific lectures aimed at correcting misconceptions and urging Muslims to positively integrate into their societies and immunize them against falling into the traps of extremist and terrorist groups. Moreover, the Council launched the Emerging Peacemakers Forum and the Human Fraternity Fellowship Program to equip a new generation of young people to become leaders in peacebuilding and enhancing peaceful coexistence in the future. It also organized and hosted more than 10 international conferences discussing issues related to the dissemination and consolidation of a culture of peace and coexistence.

The Pavilion of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair Welcomes Intellectual and Cultural Figures, Commending the Council’s Efforts to Promote and Enhance the Values of Tolerance and Coexistence

For the sixth consecutive day, the Pavilion of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Rabat International Publishung and Book Fair has witnessed significant turnout from all segments of Moroccan society, including intellectuals, writers, academics, students, and researchers who have praised the publications of Al Hokama Publishing for addressing the most pressing intellectual, cultural, religious, and humanitarian issues according to the enlightened moderate approach, in addition to their role in promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence.

Dr. Ridwan Al-Sayyid, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Humanities, expressed his happiness during his visit to the Pavilion of the Muslim Council of Elders, with the council’s participation in various prominent international forums and platforms. He appreciated the council’s presentation of important intellectual publications that revive the Islamic intellectual and cultural heritage and promote a culture of peace, human fraternity, communal living, and the dissemination of values of love and goodness.

Similarly, El Mustafa Al-Razrazi, head of the Moroccan Observatory on Extremism and Violence, praised the qualitative participation of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair during his visit to the Pavilion. He appreciated the council’s publications that enrich the Islamic and Arabic libraries in the fields of peace and building bridges of communication and mutual understanding with others.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat, with over 220 editions in 5 different languages, including 22 new releases that address the most important intellectual and cultural issues. Additionally, the council is organizing a number of discussion and seminars with the participation of scholars, thinkers, writers, intellectuals, academics, and university professors. This stems from the council’s vision and its mission aimed at promoting peace and fostering the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. The council’s pavilion is located at booth C18 at the OLM Souissi site in Rabat.

Minister of Political Affairs of Sierra Leone Extends an Official Invitation to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to Visit His Nation

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received Amara Kallon, the Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone, along with a high-level delegation to discuss ways to enhance mutual cooperation.

His Eminence the Grand Imam warmly welcomed the Sierra Leonean Minister and the accompanying delegation to Al-Azhar, expressing his esteem for Sierra Leone. He also expressed readiness to establish a center for teaching the Arabic language in Sierra Leone, to serve the people in learning the language of the Holy Quran and studying Islamic sciences, preparing students aspiring to join Al-Azhar University, increasing scholarships offered to Sierra Leoneans, and training imams from Sierra Leone according to a specialized academic curriculum designed to enhance their skills in refuting misconceptions about Islam and promoting values of tolerance and coexistence.

The Sierra Leonean Minister conveyed greetings from the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, and his appreciation for His Eminence’s efforts in promoting values of coexistence and dialogue. He thanked His Eminence for continuous support to Sierra Leoneans through Al-Azhar’s envoys in their country and for sponsoring Sierra Leonean students studying at Al-Azhar, who, upon graduation, contribute to the development of their country, holding leadership positions in various institutions and organizations.

The Sierra Leonean Minister extended an official invitation to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to visit Sierra Leone, stating that the Sierra Leonean people eagerly await this visit. He also welcomed His Eminence’s proposal to train imams from Sierra Leone at Al-Azhar, to enhance their skills in addressing contemporary issues and to create religious leaders capable of educating youth and raising their awareness to contribute to the promotion of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence.

Dr. Samir Boudinar: The Muslim Council of Elders Places the Issue of Unity of the Islamic Nation and Internal Dialogue at the Forefront of Its Priorities

Dr. Elias Mohamed Belka Commends the Efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in Addressing the Issue of Historical Divergences within the Islamic Nation

The Muslim Council of Elders continues its cultural program at the 2024 International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat, which has witnessed significant turnout from exhibition visitors. The Council organized a seminar titled: “Historical Divergences in the Nation: Criticism and Foresight,” presented by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research, and Dr. Elias Mohamed Belka, Professor at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez.

Dr. Samir Boudinar emphasized that the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, prioritizes the issue of the unity of the Islamic nation and internal dialogue within the nation among its various components. He highlighted that the council places these issues at the forefront of its priorities and gives them special attention within its projects in research, authorship, and publishing. He pointed out that the council has laid the foundations for a new phase of inter-Islamic dialogue in response to the call of His Eminence Dr. Al-Tayeb during the Bahrain Dialogue Forum. He called for strengthening the Islamic cause and uniting the nation. This call was culminated in a visit by a delegation from the General Secretariat of the Council to the Republic of Iraq, meeting with all components of the Iraqi people to discuss the most prominent contemporary Islamic challenges and how to bridge the divide and promote the spirit of religious fraternity.

Dr. Elias Mohamed Belka praised the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in addressing the issue of historical divergences within the Islamic nation and shedding light on this issue in various forums. He pointed out that these divergences within the nation emerged within specific historical contexts. Hence, it is necessary to understand cultural and historical diversity as part of the Islamic identity in order to achieve civilizational and developmental progress.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat, with over 220 editions in 5 different languages, including 22 new releases that address the most important intellectual and cultural issues. Additionally, the council is organizing a number of discussion and seminars with the participation of scholars, thinkers, writers, intellectuals, academics, and university professors. This stems from the council’s vision and its mission aimed at promoting peace and fostering the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. The council’s pavilion is located at booth C18 at the OLM Souissi site in Rabat.

Dr. Samir Boudinar: The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Rabat International Book Fair focuses on the intellectual output of the Council along with contemporary cultural issues and highlights the enlightened moderate Islamic approach

Dr. Jaafar Ben El Haj Soulami: The book “Interfaith Encounters between Muslims and Christians in Al-Andalus” is the result of constructive and fruitful collaboration between the Moroccan Association for Andalusian Studies in Tetouan and the Muslim Council of Elders

Dr. Mohamed Reda Boudchar: The book “Interfaith Encounters in Morocco and Al-Andalus between Muslims and Christians” sheds light on the intertwined relationships between Muslims and Christians in Morocco and Al-Andalus

The Muslim Council of Elders organized a seminar at the 29th International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat titled “Interfaith Encounters in Al-Andalus and Morocco: Exploring Muslim-Christian Interactions.” This seminar was presented by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research, Dr. Jaafar Ben El Haj Soulami, Professor of Moroccan and Andalusian Studies at the Faculty of Letters and Humanities in the Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan, and Dr. Mohamed Reda Boudchar, a researcher in the history of Morocco, Al-Andalus, and Sufi studies.

At the beginning of the seminar, Dr. Samir Boudinar stated that the activities of the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat focus on the intellectual production of the council, which deals with contemporary cultural issues and highlights the enlightened moderate Islamic approach. He pointed out that this seminar discusses one of the latest releases of the council, which is the book “Interfaith Encounters between Muslims and Christians in Morocco and Al-Andalus.” The seminar reviewed the scholarly work of the same name organized by the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research, affiliated with the Muslim Council of Elders, in the city of Tetouan, Morocco in 2022, in collaboration with the Faculty of Letters and Humanities at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, and the Moroccan Association for Andalusian Studies, and the Association of Asmir in celebration of the memory of the Dutch orientalist and great scholar, Peter van Koningsveld.

Dr. Jaafar Ben El Haj Soulami mentioned that the book “Interfaith Encounters between Muslims and Christians in Al-Andalus” is a result of constructive cooperation between the Moroccan Association for Andalusian Studies in Tetouan and the Muslim Council of Elders. It aims to unify perspectives on the issue of relations between Muslims and Christians in Morocco and Al-Andalus, clarify the boundaries of knowledge between the two sides, and elucidate how these relations have contributed to broadening the vision of future generations on this issue.

Dr. Mohamed Reda Boudchar praised the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in publishing several books that discuss many important intellectual and cultural issues, including the book “Interfaith Encounters in Morocco and Al-Andalus between Muslims and Christians,” which is characterized by seriousness and depth in the research it presents. He highlighted that the book meticulously sheds light on the intertwined relations between Muslims and Christians in Morocco and Al-Andalus, representing a rigorous study and a pioneering reference that significantly contributes to a deeper understanding of these relations in the specific geographic context of Al-Andalus and Morocco, emphasizing the extent of cultural exchange and intellectual dialogue that prevailed between the two cultures during that historical period.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat, with over 220 editions in 5 different languages, including 22 new releases that address the most important intellectual and cultural issues. Additionally, the council is organizing a number of discussion and seminars with the participation of scholars, thinkers, writers, intellectuals, academics, and university professors. This stems from the council’s vision and its mission aimed at promoting peace and fostering the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. The council’s pavilion is located at booth C18 at the OLM Souissi site in Rabat.

Dr. Samir Boudinar: The Muslim Council of Elders Places Great Emphasis on the Issue of Managing Identarian Peace in the Muslim World and the Challenges and Problems That May Arise from Identity Differences Within Muslim Communities

Dr. Fouad Bouali Commends the Efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in Shedding Light on the Issue of “Identarian Peace in the Muslim World” and Revisiting the Fundamental Principles of Societal and Local Peace

The Muslim Council of Elders hosted a seminar at the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat titled: “Identarian Peace Management in the Muslim World: Concepts, Underpinnings, and Mechanisms.” The seminar was presented by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, and Dr. Fouad Bouali, Director of the “Identity Harmony Management in the Muslim World” project.

During the seminar, Dr. Samir Boudinar emphasized that the Muslim Council of Elders places significant importance on the issue of “Identarian Peace Management in the Muslim World,” having issued a dedicated book addressing this matter. This book is among the latest releases for the year 2024, showcased at the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat. He underscored the significance of identity, which represents an urgent need in the contemporary Islamic world and is not merely a problematic concept but is intertwined with complex notions and social patterns, necessitating clear visions and effective strategies to address the challenges and problems that may arise from identity differences within Muslim communities.

Dr. Fouad Bouali added that effectively managing identity can make it a factor in development and social harmony. He commended the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in shedding light on the issue of “Identarian Peace Management in the Muslim World” and revisiting the fundamental principles of societal and local peace. This is achieved through the publication of a book that serves as a theoretical introduction to the “Identity Harmony Management in the Muslim World” project. The first section of the book discusses the concept of identity and identarian peace, while the second section delves into the Muslim world, attempting to theoretically define and adjust concepts to embark on research work.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating at the International Publishing and Book Fair in Rabat, with over 220 editions in 5 different languages, including 22 new releases that address the most important intellectual and cultural issues. Additionally, the council is organizing a number of discussion and seminars with the participation of scholars, thinkers, writers, intellectuals, academics, and university professors. This stems from the council’s vision and its mission aimed at promoting peace and fostering the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. The council’s pavilion is located at booth C18 at the OLM Souissi site in Rabat.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, commends the honorable stance of the United Arab Emirates towards the Palestinian cause and its rejection of the statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for the UAE’s involvement in the civil administration of the Gaza Strip.

The Muslim Council of Elders reaffirms its full support for the brave stance of the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing that the Israeli occupation has no legitimate authority to take such a step and rejecting any plan aimed at providing cover for Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip.

Furthermore, the Muslim Council of Elders renews its call upon the international community to halt the brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip, prevent the Israeli occupation from invading Rafah, and uphold the legitimate right of the Palestinian people 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, welcomes the adoption of a draft resolution presented by the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Arab Group, which received overwhelming support from 143 out of 193 countries, calls for the rightful membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nations General Assembly.

The Muslim Council of Elders emphasizes that the adoption of this resolution with such a vast majority constitutes international recognition of Palestine’s rightful full membership in the United Nations, urging the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and make a fair decision to restore the deprived rights of the Palestinian people which is necessary to enhance global peace efforts.

The Muslim Council of Elders renews its call to the international community to urgently work towards an immediate cessation of aggression in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries among innocent civilians, and to affirm the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.