Muslim Council Of Elders Urges Dialogue And Coexistence To Combat Islamophobia And Extremism

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the leadership of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, stresses the importance of fostering dialogue and peace. This call comes amid rising hate speech, extremism, and Islamophobia. The Council's statement coincides with the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15, as recognised by the United Nations General Assembly.

In its statement, the Council reiterated that Islam is inherently a religion of tolerance and peace. It cautioned against far-right groups exploiting negative stereotypes about Islam for political purposes. The Council urged for tangible measures to combat Islamophobia, such as promoting East-West dialogue and encouraging positive integration of Muslims in their communities.

The Muslim Council of Elders advocates for laws that criminalise attacks on religious symbols and sanctities. They emphasise the need for dialogue between different cultures to counteract discrimination and bigotry. Their initiatives include East-West dialogue tours and international peace convoys aimed at fostering understanding.

The Document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 in Abu Dhabi by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb and His Holiness Pope Francis, underscores freedom as a fundamental human right. It supports freedom of belief, thought, expression, and practice while recognising religious and cultural diversity as part of divine will.

The Council remains dedicated to promoting Islamic values of tolerance through various programs like the Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF) and student dialogues on human fraternity. These efforts aim to inspire moderate thought amidst rising extremism and racism globally.

The Document on Human Fraternity also rejects coercion in matters of faith or culture. It asserts that no ideology should be imposed upon others unwillingly. This document forms a foundation for respecting differences and upholding human rights worldwide.

By leading these initiatives, the Muslim Council of Elders continues to champion peace and coexistence across diverse communities globally.

With inputs from WAM