منتظم

The Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), presided over by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, warmly welcomes the recent decision of the United Nations Security Council. This resolution urgently advocates for immediate actions to facilitate the comprehensive and secure delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, guaranteeing unimpeded access without obstacles. The Council underscores the crucial significance of creating the necessary conditions for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire.

In conveying the Council’s support for this resolution, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the MCE, expresses the hope that it will substantially contribute to alleviating the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza. He underscores the urgent need for decisive measures to halt the Israeli aggression, which has tragically claimed the lives of thousands of innocents, mainly women and children, and caused considerable damage to the besieged infrastructure of Gaza.

In this context, the Muslim Council of Elders acknowledges and commends the pivotal role played by the United Arab Emirates in proposing this resolution. The Council calls upon the international community to safeguard the rights of the Palestinian people, ensuring their legitimate and rightful pursuit of establishing an independent state, with its capital situated in the revered city of Jerusalem.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, extends his sincere congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah for assuming the leadership of the sisterly State of Kuwait and his inauguration as the Emir of Kuwait.

The Grand Imam expresses sincere prayers for the success of His Highness Sheikh Meshal in leading Kuwait, hoping for the continuation of a journey marked by generosity, the fulfillment of the aspirations of its people, the prosperity of the country, and support for the causes of the Arab and Islamic nations.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has called for strengthening human solidarity, particularly in the face of wars, conflicts, escalating humanitarian crises, rising poverty rates, and the increasing numbers of refugees and displaced individuals who have lost their homes and shelters in today’s world.

In a statement released on the occasion of the International Human Solidarity Day, observed annually on December 20, the Council stressed the shared responsibility of the global community towards the vulnerable Palestinian population. It highlighted the plight of civilians facing violations that have displaced hundreds of thousands, leading to numerous casualties and martyrs, predominantly among women and children. The Council further emphasized the imperative for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The statement clarified that human solidarity transcends the responsibility solely assigned to governments and nations; it is a collective duty that everyone should shoulder. It affirmed that collective action and mutual cooperation can achieve tangible progress in various fields, ranging from eradicating poverty to environmental protection, improving human life, and eliminating inequality and discrimination based on gender, religion, and race. This necessitates genuine and comprehensive commitment, along with human solidarity, to uplift the quality of human life and foster stability in societies globally.

The Council renews its call for the adoption of collaboration, solidarity, and compassion to confront the current challenges facing humanity. It pointed out that the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019, urged the world to establish justice based on mercy as the path to achieving a dignified life for every human being. The Document emphasizes that dialogue, understanding, the dissemination of the culture of tolerance, acceptance of others, and coexistence among people can contribute to addressing many social, political, economic, and environmental problems that afflict a significant portion of humanity.

The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has called on the Islamic and Arab worlds to preserve and wholeheartedly embrace the Arabic language as an inseparable component of the Islamic and Arab identities. Stressing the profound significance accorded to Arabic by Allah, the Almighty, the Council has highlighted its role as the eloquent medium for the Holy Quran and the tongue through which divine rules and jurisprudence are conveyed.

In a statement issued on the occasion of World Arabic Language Day on December 18, coinciding with the significant milestone of its declaration as an official language by the United Nations fifty years ago, the Council has emphasized the enduring allure and inherent brilliance ingrained in the Arabic language’s lexical eloquence and syntactic richness, describing it as possessing unparalleled depth in meanings and opulence in vocabulary. Furthermore, the Council has highlighted the Arabic language’s pivotal role in shaping knowledge, fostering societal transformations, and advancing science and civilization. It has also underscored that it stands as a timeless witness to the rich tapestry of Islamic history, adorned with indelible achievements in diverse sectors such as science, arts, literature, poetry, and beyond.

Recognizing the vital role and importance of the Arabic language in shaping cultures and building bridges that foster communication among humanity, the Council is committed to consolidating the Arabic language’s esteemed status through various initiatives and activities. A standout among these initiatives is Dar Al Hokama Publishing, dedicated to releasing distinguished publications that advocate a culture of moderation and correct misconceptions. The publishing house also strives to conduct translations to and from the Arabic language, thereby facilitating the exchange of a broad range of positive experiences and global knowledge.

The Muslim Council of Elders concluded its participation at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair with notable success. Visitors at the exhibition showed keen interest in the latest releases from the council and actively participated in the activities organized by the booth from December 9 to 17.

The Council’s booth, comprising more than 190 diverse publications in thought, culture, and Islamic heritage, witnessed significant engagement from various segments of society, exhibition visitors, and participants from around the world. Additionally, prominent researchers in various fields expressed interest in reviewing the council’s publications addressing various important issues. The Council’s booth also organized several activities for children.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, affirmed that the Council has a clear vision for participating in numerous intellectual and cultural events worldwide. The objective is to spread enlightened moderate thought and rectify misconceptions. He also highlighted that the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair serves as a bridge for intellectual and cultural communication between Arab culture and various global cultures.

Over the course of nine days, the Council’s booth organized various cultural and intellectual events, including a seminar titled “The Role of the Muslim Council of Elders in Disseminating Heritage and Islamic Thought Books,” presented by Dr. Abdelrahman Madkur, a researcher at the Islamic Heritage Revival Office at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. The seminar discussed the role of the Muslim Council of Elders and its efforts in promoting peace and spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence while rejecting extremism and hate speech.

Furthermore, the Council’s booth organized a seminar titled “The Human Fraternity Journey: Grand Imam and Pope Francis as Models.” Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research. The seminar focused on the Document on Human Fraternity, emphasizing its importance in the present time, especially in light of the wars and conflicts worldwide, requiring the dissemination of values of peace and common coexistence.

This is the second time the Muslim Council of Elders has participated at the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair in its eighth edition, which reflects the Council’s goals of promoting peace, establishing values of dialogue and tolerance, and building bridges of cooperation among diverse people and beliefs.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, visited the eighth edition of the Istanbul International Arabic Book Fair and explored its prominent activities and various participating entities, emphasizing that global cultural exhibitions serve as vital platforms for the exchange of ideas and cultures among people. This represents a significant opportunity to introduce Arab and Islamic culture and underscore shared human values.

During his tour of the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair 2023, the Secretary-General praised the organization of this prominent cultural event and its effective role in enhancing cultural exchange as a bridge of communication between diverse Arab cultures and their global counterparts. He commended the diversity of topics and presented publications, reflecting the creativity and cultural richness of the Arab region.

Judge Abdelsalam also visited the booth of Dar Al Hokama Publishing at the exhibition, which showcases over 190 diverse publications aimed at disseminating and promoting the values of peace in Muslim and non-Muslim communities. He affirmed that the Council is well aware of the importance of thought and culture in defining and ingraining human values in the minds of youth. He explained that “Dar Al Hokama Publishing” contributes, through its leading publications, to reinforcing the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence among all people, despite their differences and diversity.

For the second consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders is participatiny in the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, aligning with its mission to promote a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence. The fair stands as one of the essential gatherings for Arab publishers and creators of literary and cultural content in the region. It also serves as a significant event for Arab communities in Europe, considering Istanbul as a bridge of dialogue between the East and the West.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ booth at the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair hosted a seminar titled “The Human Fraternity Journey: Grand Imam and Pope Francis as Models.” Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research, presented the seminar at Booth No. 38, Hall 9, at the exhibition grounds in Istanbul.

During the seminar, Dr. Boudinar emphasized the urgent need for the world to establish and enhance the values of human fraternity, particularly amidst wars and conflicts that require the dissemination of peace values, mutual coexistence, and the fight against all forms of violence, terrorism, bigotry, hatred, and discrimination.

Boudinar affirmed that Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Pope Francis provide an inspirational model for the relationship between leaders and symbols of religions. He highlighted the fraternal relationship and friendship between these significant religious figures, culminating in the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which embodies humane values to promote and strengthen the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human fraternity.

The Director of the Al Hokama Center for Peace Research explained that the book “The Pope and the Grand Imam: A Thorny Path” provides a detailed account of the journey of the Document on Human Fraternity, the most important document in modern human history. It alsl sheds light on the path of human fraternity by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis to guide humanity towards a better future.

For the second consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders is participatiny in the Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, aligning with its mission to promote a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence. The fair stands as one of the essential gatherings for Arab publishers and creators of literary and cultural content in the region. It also serves as a significant event for Arab communities in Europe, considering Istanbul as a bridge of dialogue between the East and the West.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, extends its deepest condolences for the passing of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, who passed away this morning at the age of 86.

The Council expresses sincere condolences to the leadership, government, and people of Kuwait, as well as the Arab and Islamic worlds, for the loss of the departed leader. They pray that Almighty Allah shower him with His mercy and grant him a place in the spacious gardens of paradise. “To Allah, we belong, and to Him, we shall return.”

The Muslim Council of Elders organized a seminar at the 2023 Istanbul Arabic Book Fair titled: “The Role of the Muslim Council of Elders in Disseminating Books of Islamic Heritage and Thought”. The seminar was presented by Dr. Abdul Rahman Madkur, a researcher at the Office of Islamic Heritage Revival at Al-Azhar. It addressed the role of the Muslim Council of Elders and its efforts in promoting peace, spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence. It also discussed countering extremism, hate speech, bigotry, terrorism, and correcting misconceptions to go with highlighting the initiatives and diverse publications of the council.

Audience members actively engaged in the seminar, contributing to discussions on intellectual and cultural issues emphasized by the council’s publications. They praised the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in promoting awareness of Islamic heritage and culture, defending the issues of the nation, building bridges of communication between nations and peoples, and spreading the culture of human fraternity.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ booth at the 2023 Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, held from December 9 to 17, features a series of seminars addressing various intellectual, cultural, and societal issues. These activities align with the council’s mission to promote peace, tolerance, and coexistence among all peoples and cultures.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, commended the parties of the twenty-eighth session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) for reaching the UAE Consensus. This agreement, for the first time in the history of conferences, includes an invitation to achieve a transition in the energy sector away from fossil fuel use. The Council affirmed that this agreement represents a historic step towards building a more prosperous and sustainable future for humanity.

The Muslim Council of Elders congratulates the United Arab Emirates, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, for successful hosting of of COP28 which reflects the UAE’s serious commitment to addressing climate challenges on local, regional, and global levels and protecting the planet. The Council praised the tremendous efforts of His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, who also served as the COP28 President, and the COP28 team for achieving the ‘UAE Consensus’. This achievement is evidence of the world’s ability to collaborate and work collectively towards achieving sustainable development and preserving the environment for current and future generations.

In collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE, and the United Nations Environment Programme, the Muslim Council of Elders organized the Faith Pavilion at COP28 for the first time in the history of COP conferences. The Pavilion served as a platform for dialogue among religious leaders and symbols to address the climate change crisis.