On International Day of Peace - Muslim Council of Elders Calls for Improved International Efforts to End Wars and Conflicts and Promote Dialogue, Peace, and Coexistence
The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, calls for intensified international efforts to end the wars, conflicts, and crises that continue to plague our world today, leaving millions dead, injured, displaced, and seeking refuge, while depriving countless people of security, shelter, and the basic necessities of life. The Council underscores the urgent need to halt the bloodshed, protect civilians and innocent lives, and unite efforts to build a safer, more stable, and peaceful world.
In a statement marking the International Day of Peace, observed annually on 21 September, the Muslim Council of Elders affirmed that peace lies at the core of Islam’s message and represents one of its foremost objectives. The Council emphasized that Islam’s tolerant teachings call for the protection of human life, the preservation of human dignity, the promotion of compassion, mutual understanding, and coexistence, and the rejection of violence, hatred, and intolerance. It further stressed that genuine peace is founded upon justice, respect for human dignity, and the advancement of dialogue, mutual understanding, and human fraternity.
The Muslim Council of Elders noted that promoting a culture of peace has been a central pillar of its mission since its establishment. Through its global initiatives and programs aimed at building bridges of dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures—including the East-West Dialogue, the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, and the Student Dialogues for Human Fraternity Program—the Council has consistently worked to advance mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. These efforts culminated in the signing of the historic Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and the late Pope Francis, former Head of the Catholic Church. The Council has also launched numerous international initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of religious leaders in peacebuilding and countering hate speech and extremism.
The Muslim Council of Elders calls upon world leaders, policymakers, and religious, intellectual, and media institutions to uphold their responsibilities in ending conflicts, promoting a culture of peace, and confronting hate speech and intolerance. The Council affirms that peace is a shared responsibility that begins in the human conscience and is strengthened through dialogue, justice, and fraternity, paving the way for a world in which all people can live in security, dignity, and peace.