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The Muslim Council of Elders and the Ministry of Justice of the United Arab Emirates jointly held a symposium titled “The Role of Judicial Institutions in Fostering Peace and Human Fraternity.” The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam stated during the seminar that justice is the foundation for societal interaction within humans and that it is necessary for there to be justice in order for there to be true peace.

According to Abdelsalam, there are two fundamental components that can be distinguished when defining peace: the first is “the absence of violence or war,” also known as “negative peace,” and the second is “positive peace,” which necessitates the integration of human society’s values, cultural and legal safeguards, and the enforcement of law, which also ensures societal stability and emphasizes the fight against prejudice and hate.

Abdelsalam continued, “The Human Fraternity Document, whose signing is celebrated around the world on February 4th each year, places an emphasis on the virtues of justice, human dignity, citizenship, love, and respect for one another without prejudice or hatred. Justice institutions have a role to play at the national and international levels in fostering peace and strengthening the links of human fraternity. These are ideals that we are all responsible for fostering in our society and nations.”

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders added, “The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an initiative that was unveiled after the Document on Human Fraternity was signed. It is an annual prize awarded to institutions and individuals who significantly advance the principles outlined within the document. It also shines light on significant individuals and organizations that promote change, provide quality programs that foster a more peaceful human society for all people, and create communication and coexistence bridges.”

Abdelsalam also praised efforts made by the UAE’s Ministry of Justice in terms of establishing justice and the promotion of integrity and transparency in order to enhance the role of justice institutions in promoting peace and tolerance. He also noted the Ministry’s role in providing necessary legal services and establishing a culture of innovation to ensure the rule of law and the preservation of rights.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has met the Speaker of the Senate of Canada the Honourable George Furey at the Council’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, Judge Abdelsalam affirmed that under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar the Muslim Council of Elders’ primary message is to strengthen the role of young people in their societies and to promote the principles of tolerance, coexistence, fraternity, love, and peace among all people regardless of race, religion or gender.

Abdelsalam also praised Canada’s initiatives that advance interfaith dialogue and harmony among people, which falls in line with the council’s mission. This, he pointed, is inspired by the co-signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders alongside His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

The Speaker of the Canadian Senate, for his part, applauded the Muslim Council of Elders’ efforts to spread and advance human fraternity and the ideals of peace and cooperation via a number of significant initiatives. He added that the Canadian Senate places a high value on matters relating to human rights, dialogue, while opposing all forms of hate speech, racism, intolerance, and Islamophobia.

In addition, Furey emphasized the significance of coordinating efforts and cooperating with the Muslim Council of Elders’ initiatives, particularly those involving youth, interfaith dialogue, and addressing the harmful consequences of climate change.

The meeting was attended by a number of Canadian senators alongside the Ambassador of Canada to the United Arab Emirates His Excellency Radha Krishna Panday.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders has spoken at the 100th-anniversary commemoration of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s oldest Islamic organization.

In a pre-recorded message, Judge Abdelsalam said, “We should focus on our future generations, the young people who are tomorrow’s leaders. They should be inspired and given hope for a better tomorrow. They should be empowered to build a better future for themselves and their children. We should educate them that there is a common, harmonious path that brings together all different faiths and cultures.”

Judge Abdelsalam continued, “Under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders hopes to continue working toward this aim, path, and an enormous responsibility. This aspiration needs to be addressed by various organizations and groups around the world as well.”

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders concluded, “Prior to becoming a nation associated with peace and coexistence, Indonesia has long followed the path of wisdom and knowledge. Indonesia’s modern history is not only known through the scholarly figures and senior statesmen who shaped it and helped to create the largest Muslim nation, not only through the sheer size of its population but also through the high standard of its elites and scholars who guided the nation in a number of fields of the renaissance.”

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam met 2023 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Honoree Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil ‘Mama Shamsa’ at the Council’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, Judge Abdelsalam congratulated Mama Shamsa on receiving the 2023 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for becoming a symbol of hope for those seeking coexistence and strong communities, as well as for her efforts in uplifting many marginalized people, particularly the youth.

In addition to highlighting the significance of recognizing these pioneering international individuals, the Secretary-General noted that the Muslim Council of Elders has a keen interest in fostering intercultural harmony in Africa.

For her part, Shamsa Abu Bakar expressed her joy at receiving the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. She also highlighted how much she appreciated the United Arab Emirates’ efforts in promoting tolerance, peace, and coexistence. She emphasized that receiving this accolade gave her the motivation she needed to continue working and further spread the Zayed Award’s spirit.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders and the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity presented Mama Shamsa the Council’s shield in recognition of her work promoting dialogue and human fraternity.

Muslim Council of Elders expresses solidarity with victims of deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Calls on International Community to mobilize and assist victims

Under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Muslim Council of Elders extends its sincere condolences with the victims of the deadly earthquake in Southern Turkey which lead to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries in Turkey and Syria. 

The Council expresses its utmost solidarity with the people of Turkey and Syria while calling on the international community to urgently mobilize and assist victims stuck under rubble as well as offer support and aid people impacted by the deadly earthquake.

The Muslim Council of Elders also extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims while praying for a speedy recovery for the injured.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam met with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Ahmad Khan at the Council’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, the pair discussed potential cooperation, the diverse heritage of international law, as well as the Council’s role in promoting peaceful coexistence.

During the meeting, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court underlined the importance of showing how the roots of international law come from all regions, that it is the heritage of all humankind. He praised the Muslim Council of Elders under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb for its work in spreading peace and coexistence globally. He also recognized the Council’s efforts in addressing a variety of humanitarian issues including: the Myanmar issue, the call for an inter-Islamic dialogue, the affirmation of women’s rights to education, and the dispatching of peace convoys.

Khan noted that the United Arab Emirates’ efforts in in promoting peace are telling and that the ‘Human Fraternity Meeting’ in Abu Dhabi is a reflection of those efforts. He also emphasized the importance of disseminating the document’s ideals and seeking to reflect them in international laws and legislation.

For his part, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Muslim Council of Elders’ Secretary-General, said that the Council’s mission to advance peace and human fraternity in Muslim and non-Muslim nations is a vision and a message that it proudly carries. He also noted that the Document on Human Fraternity has today become a major source of interest and inspiration for many nations around the world.

Abdelsalam continued, “In light of the difficulties our world is currently facing, there is a crucial role that institutions can play in fostering and sustaining both societal peace and religious freedom.” Abdelsalam applauded the United Arab Emirates in particular for its role in supporting initiatives that promote peace, tolerance, and coexistence while countering hate and human trafficking.

The International Day of Human Fraternity (4 February) has been commemorated by the Indonesian Branch of the Muslim Council of Elders with a number of events and seminars. The day falls on the anniversary of His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, co-signing the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ branch in Indonesia also prepared the Friday sermon text and its theme, “The Concept of Human Fraternity,” in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. On February 3, 2023, the sermon was distributed to Indonesian mosques, including the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta (the largest mosque in Southeast Asia), and it was broadcast on numerous channels. The Human Fraternity Document was also printed and distributed at other prominent mosques, notably the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the city of Solo.

Several religious leaders took part in a symposium that was hosted at Atma Jaya Catholic University in Jakarta, the nation’s capital. It was highlighted during this time that genuine fraternity helps to encourage teamwork to solve human problems. In the presence of Bishop Romo Agustinus Heri Wibowo, a representative of the Catholic Church, Mr. Ole-Visual Abdullah, a representative of the Nahdlatul Ulama Association, Mr. Bhiko Dama Subo Mahathira, a representative of the Buddhist community, and Mr. Ghazali, a representative of the Muhammadiyah Association, participants in the symposium signed a joint declaration based on the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity in preparation for its submission to the Indonesian Parliament.

At a scientific symposium that the Indonesian Branch of the Muslim Council of Elders hosted at the Hindu University of Bangli on the island of Bali, participants thanked His Eminence the Grand Imam and His Holiness Pope Francis for their work to advance interfaith harmony and combat hate speech, intolerance, and discrimination. They also referenced to the Fourth of February being designated as the International Day of Human Fraternity by the UN, which reflects the wish of all peoples to live in peace and security throughout the world. A united statement was signed by all of the participating religious leaders at the symposium’s conclusion.

The Human Fraternity Document, according to Dr. Muzafir, president of the Islamic University of Surakarta, is a historical and inspirational document for many global leaders. He continued by stating that the symposium’s significant attendance from many tribes and religious backgrounds is proof of their dedication to the principles of human fraternity. Participants signed an unified declaration at the end of the symposium with the goal of preventing conflict and bloodshed in all of its manifestations and encouraging harmony and goodwill among believers in other religions in order to bring about world peace.

The Interreligious Council (IRC-Indonesia), the Center for Dialogue and Cooperation Among Civilizations (CDCC), the Nahdlatul Ulama Association, the Muhammadiyah Association and approximately 1000 religious, political, and academic figures from Indonesia are all expected to attend a symposium that will be held at the parliament building in Jakarta in honor of the International Day of Human Fraternity. The presidents of the two main Islamic organizations (Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah), the presidents of each of Indonesia’s eight religious councils, and the president of the People’s Consultative Assembly of Indonesia are all slated to speak.

These events, which were arranged by the Indonesian Branch of the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with academic, religious, legislative, and executive institutions in Indonesia, attracted a lot of attention and were notably covered by the most significant media outlets in the country, including the official news agency and numerous prominent newspapers and television channels.

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair 2023 organized a number of events celebrating the International Day of Human Fraternity (4 February) which coincides with the anniversary of the 2019 signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders alongside His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church in Abu Dhabi. 

The Council’s stand hosted a number of workshops, talks and competitions with participation by the general public and students from Al-Azhar and the Emerging Peacemakers Forum. Talks were also conducted by various prominent figures within Egyptian society and Al-Azhar.

The 4th of February marks the anniversary of the co-signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The Document a declaration that promoted peace and coexistence among all humanity as well as a recognition that we are all part of the same human family.

The Council’s participation at the Cairo International Book Fair comes as part of His Eminence the Grand Imam’s vision of promoting dialogue and spreading tolerance and peace globally as well as building bridges of cooperation with people of all backgrounds. The Council’s participation at the Cairo International Book Fair is located in Hall 4 next to the Al-Azhar stand at the Egypt International Exhibition Center.

The tenth seminar by the Muslim Council of Elders at the Cairo International Book Fair took place at the Council’s stand at the Egypt International Exhibition Center. The seminar was titled ‘Islamic civilization’s integration of sciences’ and presented by Dr. Nazir Ayad, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar.

During the seminar, Dr. Ayad remarked that Islamic civilization benefits greatly from the integration of the sciences, as do the sciences themselves. The most striking aspect of this is the presence of a renewal movement in its truest meaning that is based on maintaining the constants while maintaining flexibility, something that can only be done by integrating a wide range of sciences.

The Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar added, “In addition to the revival of Islamic civilization, one of the outcomes of the integration of sciences into Islamic civilization is that it opened the door to intellectual security, particularly in light of technological advances.” 

Ayad concluded by noting that the combination of sciences is necessary for progress and civilizational advancement. He also cited a group of historic Islamic academics who integrated a wide range of disciplines, including law, logic, religion, medicine, and astronomy. These Muslim scholars improved their societies before Europe eventually benefited from their knowledge and research.

The Council’s participation at the Cairo International Book Fair comes as part of His Eminence the Grand Imam’s vision of promoting dialogue and spreading tolerance and peace globally as well as building bridges of cooperation with people of all backgrounds. The Council’s participation at the Cairo International Book Fair is located in Hall 4 next to the Al-Azhar stand at the Egypt International Exhibition Center.