منتظم

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has met His Beatitude Mar Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq. During the meeting, the two sides discussed potential joint cooperation to spread dialogue and coexistence.

Judge Abdelsalam stressed the important role that religious organizations can play in spreading tolerance, citizenship and coexistence. He also praised the Chaldean Catholic Church and Christians in Iraq for their patriotic actions as important members of Iraqi society.

For his part, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako praised the Council’s role under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb in spreading dialogue and coexistence. He also noted the strong relationship between His Eminence the Grand Imam and His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church which is a great example of being able to overcome challenges for the sake of achieving true peace amongst humanity.

A delegation from the Muslim Council of Elders is currently visiting Iraq with the visit set to include a number of meetings with prominent social and religious leaders. The visit will feature meetings in Baghdad, Najaf and Erbil and aims to build productive channels of dialogue with all facets of Iraqi society.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has met His Eminence Sayed Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai, the official representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali Al-Sistani.

During the meeting, Judge Abdelsalam emphasized the importance of mutual work and efforts in order to achieve dialogue and understanding between all schools of Islamic thought, particularly Sunni and Shia Islam. He added that Islam is the religion of peace and that there are many common values between different Islamic sects that can be built upon in order to build serious channels of dialogue. All Muslims believe in a single God, Prophet, and holy book which is evident in the Quranic verse, “Indeed, this nation of yours is one nation, and I am Your Lord, therefore worship Me.”

Abdelsalam also stressed the honest invitation by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to conduct an inter-Islamic dialogue, which is the basis of the Council’s message of uniting the Muslim world. 

The Secretary-General also expressed his appreciation of the efforts of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali Al-Sistani to unite the people of Iraq which is highlighted in his famous quote, “Sunnis are a part of us”.

For his part, His Eminence Sayed Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai praised the Council’s role under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb in spreading coexistence, tolerance, and peace. He also expressed his happiness at meeting the Council’s delegation which he felt is a positive step towards enhancing Sunni-Shia relations and opening unlimited lines of communication since such meetings reflect mutual respect between official religious organizations.

Al-Karbalai added that such meetings have also helped curb the influence of extremist groups, which only serve to divide Muslims and spread sectarianism and extremism, which only serves to weaken the Islamic world. The official representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali Al-Sistani also passed on the greetings of the Grand Ayatollah to His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders

The Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shaiyaa Al Sudani has hosted a delegation from the Muslim Council of Elders headed by the Council’s Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam. During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to counter extremist thought and the promotion of peace and coexistence. 

Al Sudani praised the Council’s role under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in combatting extremism and uniting the Islamic world. 

The Iraqi Prime Minister also emphasized the people of Iraq’s united stand in the face of sedition and discord by denouncing all forms of extremism, which in turn will bring an end to terrorism. He also pointed that Iraqis were able to overcome ISIS and its barbarism through unity and solidarity. 

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam expressed the Council’s appreciation of all facets of Iraqi society for their ability to defeat terrorism through unity. Abdelsalam noted that the coming period will see more cooperation between the Council and Iraqi institutions that represent all components of Iraqi society through a wide range of initiatives that promote religious fraternity and coexistence on local and international levels.

Judge Abdelsalam also presented the Iraqi Prime Minister the Muslim Council of Elders’ commemorative shield in recognition of his efforts to support peace. 

A delegation from the Muslim Council of Elders is currently visiting Iraq with the visit set to include a number of meetings with prominent Sunni and Shia religious leaders and scholars. The visit will feature meetings in Baghdad, Najaf, and Erbil and aims to build productive channels of dialogue with all facets of Iraqi society and to heed calls by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Council to promote inter-Islamic dialogue and understanding.

A delegation from the Muslim Council of Elders have met the head of the Sunni Endowment Office in Iraq Dr. Mishaan Al-Khazraji alongside a number of prominent Sunni scholars in the capital Baghdad.

During the meeting, Dr. Al Khazraji welcomed the Council’s delegation along with the Secretary-General of the Council Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam by stressing the importance of such visits to the Iraqi people since they help lay new foundations of communication with all facets of Iraqi society. 

Al Khazraji also praised the Council’s role under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb in promoting coexistence and Islamic unity by defending its core issues. 

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said, “Iraq is nation dear to the hearts of all Arabs and Muslims as it is an academic and cultural hub for the entire Islamic world. Iraq had produced scholars such as Abu Hanifa, Imam Al Kailani, Imam Al Junaid, Al-Darqutni as well as Imam Al-Ash’ari who united the Muslim world with his moderate values.”

Judge Abdelsalam also noted that the Council’s visit, to Iraq which included visits to scholars in Najaf and Baghdad, is in fact akin to visiting the entirety of Iraq. He also pointed to the Council’s great emphasis on building fraternal relations with the people of Iraq, regardless of their background.

Abdelsalam concluded that the Council firmly believes that Iraq is a nation of coexistence throughout its history and can one day retain its rightful place among the Arab and Islamic worlds. The coming period, he noted, will see increased communication between the Council and all facets of Iraqi society. 

The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international organization based in Abu Dhabi which was founded in 2014. It is chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and is comprised of various Muslim scholars who are known for their wisdom, justice, independence, and moderateness. It strives to promote peace in Muslim communities by discouraging conflict and divisiveness.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has visited Rondine Cittadella della Pace in Italy to discuss potential cooperation between the two organizations.

During the visit, Judge Abdelsalam met the organization’s President Franco Vaccari, who agreed with the importance of promoting the role of youth in spreading dialogue, tolerance and coexistence. 

The Secretary-General of the Council also held an interactive meeting with students of Rondine Cittadella della Pace, who are mostly from war-torn nations. Abdelsalam stressed the important role that youth can have in building global peace while pointing to the Council’s great emphasis on the creation of future leaders.

Judge Abdelsalam also heard some of the students’ vision towards promoting human fraternity and interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding and ways to become ambassadors of peace and advocates of change within their respective communities.

At the meeting’s conclusion, students expressed their gratitude to the Council and its role in promoting peace as well as the critical place the Document on Human Fraternity has in empowering youth through initiatives such as the ‘Emerging Peacemakers Forum’. The meeting was also attended by Andrea Pinzo, the Italian Special Envoy for the Protection of Religious Freedom and Interfaith Dialogue.

Islamic teachings have long encouraged human solidarity for their great benefit to society. Almighty Allah said, “And do what is good so that you may be successful” (Al-Hajj: 77), “Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness” (Al-Maidah: 2), and “There is no good in most of their secret talks, except those encouraging charity, kindness, or reconciliation between people. And whoever does this seeking Allah’s pleasure, We will grant them a great reward.” (An-Nisa: 114). Prophet Muhammed PBUH also said, “Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).

On International Human Solidarity Day, the Muslim Council of Elders calls on individuals as well as international and civil organizations to exert efforts to uphold human solidarity amongst people of all backgrounds as a means to alleviate global suffering and achieve stability.

Under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Muslim Council of Elders has exerted countless efforts towards achieving human solidarity. This was highlighted by the historic Document on Human Fraternity which was co-signed in 2019 by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar along with His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church in Abu Dhabi. The Document is considered one of the most important steps toward achieving global peace and human solidarity.

“The Document on Human Fraternity is the pinnacle of interreligious dialogue”

“The Document is one of the most important steps taken towards conceiving contemporary global peace”

“The Muslim Council of Elders is exerting great efforts to consolidate peace and coexistence”

“Cultural differences are no longer common threats. We must work together to build bridges of communication for a better future”

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has spoken in the opening session of the 7th Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue which was held in the Czech Republic. 

During his speech, Judge Abdelsalam said, “Interreligious and inter-cultural dialogue are especially important considering recent global challenges. The Document on Human Fraternity is the pinnacle of interfaith dialogue and is one of the most important steps taken towards conceiving contemporary global peace.”

Abdelsalam added, “The historic Document on Human Fraternity which was co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates was the preeminent event for interfaith relations in modern history.”

He also added, “There is a shared vision towards directing future generations down the path of coexistence and human fraternity. This can be seen with the adoption of the Document on Human Fraternity in various school and tertiary curricula, with a total of 1.5 million students around the world benefiting from the noble values of the Document. Likewise, the anniversary of the Document’s signing on the 4th of February has been recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Human Fraternity. Also, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity was launched with the aim of recognizing individuals and groups who embody the values of human fraternity.”

Judge Abdelsalam concluded, “The Muslim Council is exerting great efforts to consolidate peace and coexistence through its many meetings with world leaders. The Council will continue to spearhead efforts to spread human fraternity through its many initiatives to stop all forms of conflict and bloodshed. I thank the organizers of this important event including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Anna Lindh Foundation.”

His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain, met on Sunday with Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam. The two sides discussed a number of topics and projects under the framework of the cooperation and close ties between the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Muslim Council of Elders.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain expressed his appreciation for the outstanding efforts exerted by the Muslim Council of Elders in helping to organize the Bahrain Dialogue Forum with the theme: “East and West for Human Coexistence.” The forum, held on 2-4 November 2022, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, featured the participation of His Eminence Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church. His Excellency applauded the fruitful cooperation between the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Muslim Council of Elders in serving issues of mutual interest.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders underscored the significance of the strong relationship and strategic partnership between the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Muslim Council of Elders, which had a great impact on the success of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum and the historic visit of His Eminence Grand Imam Al-Tayeb and His Holiness Pope Francis. He further affirmed the profound appreciation of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, for the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Bahrain, wishing them prosperity and progress.

Judge Abdelsalam congratulated His Excellency the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs on the great success of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum, praising the great efforts made by His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman in organizing the forum and overseeing its preparation, which led to the success of this outstanding global event.