Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
The Council of Muslim Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, has been a beacon of progressive thought and action since its inception a decade ago.
It has been instrumental in leveraging the influence of religious leaders to navigate and mitigate contemporary issues and crises, by devising solutions and implementing effective, tangible measures.
The “Peace Convoys” initiative, which was launched in 2015, a year following the Council’s formation, in partnership with Al-Azhar, deploys groups of scholars, along with young men and women proficient in Islamic Sharia and its sciences, to various countries.
The aim is to conduct in-depth scientific and intellectual activities, in collaboration with local religious, academic institutions, and youth organisations.
Other objectives include dispelling misconceptions, fostering positive integration of Muslims into their communities, countering Islamophobia, and mitigating the religious tensions that pervade many Muslim societies.
The Peace Convoys, initiated by the Muslim Council of Elders, have traversed numerous countries across every continent between 2015 and 2018.
Their journey took them to the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Central Africa, Chad, Nigeria, France, Colombia, and Kenya.
It is worth noting that the council has another initiative “The 20 Principles Charter: Media Code of Ethics for Human Fraternity", a professional and ethical charter, launched by the Arab Media Forum for Human Fraternity on 4th February, 2020.
The launch coincided with the anniversary of the Document on Human Fraternity's signing, drawing attendance from a select cadre of media leaders and professionals from the Arab world.
The charter's 20 clauses underscore the media's pivotal role in fostering coexistence, tolerance, human fraternity, and the rejection of bigotry, hatred, extremism, and terrorism.
Moreover, the Council has organised numerous seminars and international conferences aimed at promoting peace and human coexistence. Notable among these are the International Seminar on the Role of Religions in Promoting Peace and Countering Violence and Hatred (2016), the International Seminar on Islam and the West: Towards an Understanding, Integrated World (2016), the Muslim Council of Elders Conference for Achieving Peace in Myanmar (2017), the World Peace Conference (2017), the Conference on Freedom and Citizenship: Diversity and Integration (2017), the Conference on Islam and the West: Diversity and Integration (2018), the World Conference on Human Fraternity (2019), the Arab Media Gathering for Human Fraternity (2020), the Bahrain Dialogue Forum (2022), and the Global Faith Leaders Summit on Climate Action (2023).
The council also maintained a steadfast and clear stance on the Palestinian issue, advocating for the Palestinian people's rights to establish a state with East Jerusalem as its capital and championing the peace process.
It has unequivocally rejected all attempts to Judaise Jerusalem and any temporal and spatial division of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex.
Furthermore, it encouraged educational institutions in the Arab and Muslim world to teach the history of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the significance of Jerusalem in Islam.
The Council has, through various statements, condemned actions that violate international and humanitarian laws and norms.
During 2021, the Muslim Council of Elders released a detailed report on the legal position against hate speech directed at Islam and the litigation processes in Europe, specifically in France, Germany, England, and Wales, as well as in the United States.
Last year, the Council endorsed the special resolution by the Danish Parliament, which legislated a ban on the “improper treatment” of religious texts that hold significant religious importance to acknowledged religious communities.
It also noted that this legislation marks a crucial step forward in promoting tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect for religious sanctities and symbols.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Muslim Council of Elders exerted significant efforts to educate all sectors of society about the pandemic.
It participated in the “Prayer for Humanity” initiative, a moment when humanity's hearts across the globe united under the banner of human fraternity to beseech God collectively.
Everyone, in their location and according to their religion, belief, and denomination, was united by an unwavering belief in God's omnipotence, benevolence, and mercy to safeguard humanity and alleviate the scourge of COVID-19.
