ABU DHABI: 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. The Council 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.
Launched in 2015, a year following the Council’s formation, the ‘Peace Convoys’ initiative, launched 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. Their mission is to conduct in-depth scientific and intellectual activities, in collaboration with local religious, academic institutions, and youth organisations. The objectives are manifold: to dispel misconceptions, foster positive integration of Muslims into their communities, counter Islamophobia, and mitigate the religious tensions t
hat 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.
Another noteworthy initiative by the Council is ‘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. This 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.
Furthermore, 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 Muslim Council of Elders has 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. Additionally, the Council has 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.
Throughout 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.
In 2023, 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. The Council noted that this legislation marks a crucial step forward in promoting tolerance, coexistence, and mutu
al respect for religious sanctities and symbols.
During the coronavirus pandemic, a formidable global challenge that has impacted the entire world, including the Muslim community, disrupting economic, social, and religious life, 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.
Source: Emirates News Agency