The Muslim Council of Elders received at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi a high-level delegation from the Malaysian Catholic Church, comprising a number of religious leaders representing various religions in Malaysia. The meeting aimed to enhance dialogue among followers of religions and build bridges of understanding and joint cooperation.
During the meeting, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam affirmed that the Council, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, places great emphasis on promoting communication among religious leaders worldwide. This supports the values of human fraternity and entrenches a culture of coexistence and peace established by the historic Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and the late Pope Francis, former Pontiff of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The document has sparked a global movement resulting in numerous inspiring efforts and initiatives to spread values of dialogue, tolerance, and human fraternity.
He also emphasized that diversity is a divine law, and wisdom lies in coexisting together in peace, security, and mutual respect. This is called for by the teachings of the noble Islamic faith and all heavenly religions, which affirm that the other is either a brother in religion or a peer in creation. He praised the efforts of the United Arab Emirates and its representation as a leading model in promoting and advancing values of fraternity, coexistence, and tolerance globally.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of joint initiatives and programs in the fields of interfaith dialogue, cooperation to enhance societal peace, confronting hate speech and fanaticism, as well as highlighting successful experiences in religious diversity and positive coexistence. They also expressed their profound admiration for the inspiring initiatives they witnessed during their visit to the United Arab Emirates, which reflect a firm belief in the values of dialogue, coexistence, and human fraternity.
Members of the Malaysian delegation expressed their appreciation for the global role played by the Muslim Council of Elders in spreading values of peace and understanding among peoples, affirming their anticipation to strengthen joint cooperation and benefit from the initiatives led by the Council in areas related to youth and promoting human fraternity values.
The meeting comes as part of the Muslim Council of Elders’ efforts to enhance dialogue among followers of religions, exchange experiences, and open new horizons for constructive cooperation, contributing to entrenching societal peace and solidifying human relations among different cultures.