Promoting Global Peace: Muslim Council Of Elders Meets East Timor's President

In a significant meeting aimed at fostering global peace and understanding, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, held discussions with José Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor. The primary focus was on enhancing cooperation to spread the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence across the world.

The dialogue centered around the Document on Human Fraternity, a pivotal agreement signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, alongside His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church. Both parties explored mechanisms to broaden the application of this document's principles, aiming to promote awareness and mutual understanding among different religions and sects.

President Ramos-Horta underscored the importance of implementing the Document on Human Fraternity's principles as the correct path towards establishing a global society rooted in peace, justice, and humanity. He praised the Muslim Council of Elders for their role in encouraging civilisational and religious communication, as well as peaceful coexistence and understanding among diverse cultures.

Furthermore, President Ramos-Horta expressed his gratitude towards the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for its significant contributions to promoting global peace and coexistence. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam highlighted the need for a shared vision that encapsulates human fraternity principles into actionable initiatives and projects to tackle humanitarian crises effectively.

The Secretary-General lauded East Timor's efforts under President Ramos-Horta's leadership for adopting the Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity as a national document and incorporating it into various educational curricula. He also congratulated East Timor on its recent accession to the World Trade Organisation, wishing the Republic and its people continued development and prosperity.

At the meeting's conclusion, both parties acknowledged the necessity of international and regional collaboration to overcome global challenges that hinder peace and coexistence. They reaffirmed the critical role of religious leaders and organisations in promoting tolerance, human fraternity values, and enhancing dialogue between different cultures.

The meeting was attended by notable figures including Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia and Non-Resident Ambassador to East Timor, along with Sheikha Khulood Al Qassimi, Advisor to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. This gathering marks a step forward in international efforts to foster a more tolerant and peaceful world through intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

With inputs from WAM