Muslim Council Of Elders Participates In America International Arabic Book Fair To Promote Dialogue And Understanding

The Muslim Council of Elders will participate in the first America International Arabic Book Fair. This event is scheduled from 1-4 May 2025 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Centre in Dearborn, Michigan. The Council aims to engage with Arab and Muslim communities and the wider American audience by promoting moderation, tolerance, and coexistence while encouraging dialogue on local community issues.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, expressed enthusiasm about their participation. He stated, "We are thrilled to participate in the America International Arabic Book Fair, celebrating Arabic culture and fostering dialogue in Dearborn’s vibrant community and the United States of America in general. Through this participation, we aim to advance the noble cause of peace through dialogue and understanding of the community’s needs and challenges. The Muslim Council of Elders’ mission is centered on fostering unity and bridging divides by promoting mutual respect among all communities. We hope that the inaugural edition of the America International Arabic Book Fair will be a healthy platform for meaningful exchanges while strengthening our shared commitment to coexistence and human fraternity."

The Council's pavilion at the fair will display over 250 cultural publications, including new releases from Al-Hokama Publishing for 2025. It will also feature more than 20 works by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. These works aim to showcase Islam's tolerance and its rich intellectual heritage.

Among these titles are "Al-Qawl al-Tayyib," "From My Old Notebooks," "A Perspective on East-West Dialogue," "Tradition and Renewal," "For the Sake of Peace," "Insights into the Thought of Imam Al-Ash‘ari," "Etiquette and Values," and "Toward a Contemporary Jurisprudential Renewal." These books highlight Islamic philosophy's depth and promote understanding between cultures.

The Council will host a seminar titled "Countering Islamophobia: Building Bridges Through Dialogue and Understanding" on Friday, May 2, 2025. This session will address Islamophobia, a major concern for Arab and Muslim-Americans. It will also highlight how dialogue can reshape perceptions and discuss media's role in addressing this issue.

A second seminar is planned for Saturday, May 3, focusing on "Intra-Islamic Dialogue: A Reading of the Ahlul Qiblah Call." This discussion will explore 'Ahlul Qiblah Call,' a charter for unity among Islamic traditions launched during an Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Bahrain in February 2025.

The Muslim Council of Elders' involvement in this book fair underscores its dedication to fostering peace through dialogue. By engaging with diverse communities, it seeks to promote mutual respect and understanding across cultural divides.

With inputs from WAM