Abu dhabi: The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has firmly rejected all forms of extremism, hatred, discrimination, and incitement to violence against Muslims. The council has issued a warning about the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and the serious threat it poses to coexistence, social peace, and global stability.
According to Emirates News Agency, in a statement issued on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed annually on March 15, the Council called for a comprehensive global campaign to address extremist, hateful, and religiously discriminatory rhetoric. The council urged the adoption of clear legislation and policies to combat hate and religious discrimination, promote mutual respect, and encourage cultural and religious pluralism. It also emphasized efforts to raise awareness of the true image of Islam as a religion of mercy, justice, and peace, which upholds human dignity and affirms every person’s right to live in peace and security.
The statement further highlighted that Islamophobia is not merely the result of isolated individual attitudes or extremist discourse. Instead, it is a dangerous phenomenon fueled by ignorance and distorted stereotypes, exploited by far-right groups to serve narrow political and partisan interests. Such practices contribute to the spread of division and hatred.
Confronting this issue, the Council stressed, requires concerted efforts from governments, religious institutions, educational bodies, and media organizations to enhance mutual respect and strengthen citizenship, pluralism, and acceptance of others. The Muslim Council of Elders continues to work tirelessly to highlight the tolerance of true Islamic faith and promote enlightened, moderate thought against fanaticism, extremism, racism, hatred, and discrimination.
These efforts include a range of impactful initiatives and projects, such as East-West Dialogue Tours, International Peace Convoys, the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, Student Dialogue Programs for Human Fraternity, and Ramadan missions to various parts of the world. The Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb and the late Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, affirms that freedom is a right for every human being-in belief, thought, expression, and practice. It recognizes pluralism and diversity in religion, color, gender, race, and language as manifestations of divine wisdom by which God created humanity. The document establishes these principles as a foundation for the rights to freedom of belief and difference, and for the rejection of coercing individuals into a particular religion or culture or imposing a civilizational model that others do not accept.