Muslim Council Of Elders And Kazakhstan's Grand Mufti Discuss Strategies For Enhanced Cooperation

The Muslim Council of Elders, led by Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, engaged in discussions with Kazakhstan's Grand Mufti, Nurizbay Taganuli Utbenov. This meeting took place during the 22nd Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on October 7th and 8th in Astana, Kazakhstan. The focus was on enhancing cooperation to address challenges faced by Muslim communities, particularly in protecting youth from extremist ideologies.

Judge Abdelsalam emphasised the dedication of the Muslim Council of Elders, under Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb's leadership, to fostering peace and encouraging youth to adopt tolerance and human fraternity. He highlighted initiatives like the Emerging Peacemakers Forum and Student Dialogues for Human Fraternity. These initiatives aim to promote intercultural dialogue and practical steps towards peaceful coexistence.

Grand Mufti Utbenov acknowledged the crucial role religious leaders play in steering youth away from extremism. He commended the Council's efforts under Dr. Al-Tayeb's guidance to advocate for peace and moderation. The Central Asia branch of the Council, based in Astana, is a significant platform for promoting dialogue and supporting regional Muslim communities.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation through joint initiatives. They agreed on launching a series of publications that promote moderate thought and efforts to advance dialogue and coexistence across communities. These initiatives aim to provide platforms for young people from diverse backgrounds to share ideas and work towards global solidarity.

Judge Abdelsalam highlighted programs like the Ethical Education Program that foster intercultural dialogue among youth. These programs offer practical steps toward peaceful coexistence by providing young people with opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions about global issues.

Grand Mufti Utbenov noted that reviving the intellectual heritage of Islamic scholars is essential for benefiting younger generations. The Council’s Central Asia branch plays a key role in this effort by supporting regional Muslim communities and promoting dialogue among them.

The discussions between Judge Abdelsalam and Grand Mufti Utbenov underscored their shared vision for addressing challenges faced by Muslim communities worldwide. By focusing on safeguarding youth from extremist ideologies, they aim to create a more peaceful future through collaboration and mutual understanding.

With inputs from WAM