ABU DHABI (WAM)

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, called on world leaders and their communities to prioritise fostering tolerance and coexistence while rejecting all forms of violence and conflict that destabilise societies and exhaust their resources as these challenges pose a grave threat to the present and future of coming generations.

The Council emphasised that tolerance is not merely an option but the only viable path to breaking the cycle of wars and conflicts affecting various parts of the world. It is also the key to ending the ongoing suffering endured by innocent victims, the impoverished, the vulnerable, and the marginalised.

In a statement marking the International Day for Tolerance on November 16, the Muslim Council of Elders asserted that tolerance is not just an ethical choice but a human duty and an essential prerequisite for societal stability and progress and the foundation of genuine peace, capable of restoring balance to humanity while spreading compassion, justice, and hope worldwide.

The Council highlighted that Islam, at its essence, is a religion of peace and mercy that denounces hatred and hostility. It consistently advocates for peaceful coexistence among people of diverse races, religions, and cultures while promoting principles of mutual respect and human connection. This is exemplified in the Quranic verse: "We have created you from male and female and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another" (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13), underscoring the significance of building bridges of understanding among nations.

The Muslim Council of Elders has undertaken substantial efforts to promote a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and acceptance of others. These initiatives culminated in the launch of the 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 in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The document calls on global leaders and policymakers to actively foster the values of tolerance and peace and urges immediate action to end the bloodshed of innocent lives, resolve global conflicts and wars, and address critical issues such as climate change and cultural and moral decline.