At the International Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, the Muslim Council of Elders’s booth organised a cultural seminar titled “The Role of the Muslim Council of Elders in Promoting Intra-Muslim Dialogue.” The seminar was presented by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research. It discussed several key topics, including ways to enhance communication and understanding among the components of the Muslim nation, as well as the challenges currently facing the Islamic world, which require the unification of efforts among its people and the avoidance of all causes of disagreement, conflict, and division.
The Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research added that the Muslim Council of Elders is one of the international institutions that has, since its establishment, worked to promote the values of fraternity and unity among Muslims of different sects and affiliations, avoiding anything that could lead to division or discrimination. This approach, he said, is evident in all the Council’s publications, which have taken a unifying tone aimed at consolidating shared values among Muslims, enhancing understanding and closeness between them. This has also been demonstrated through the Council’s various initiatives and activities, which have included different Muslim communities without discrimination, and have been based on shared human and Islamic values, such as international peace caravans and its branches abroad in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.
Dr. Samir Boudinar praised the call by His Eminence, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, during the “Bahrain Dialogue Forum” to enhance Islamic affairs and Muslim unity, emphasizing that religious fraternity is the foundation of human fraternity. He pointed out that His Eminence’s call focused on the importance of the common customs that unify Muslims and avoiding sectarian conflicts, which are among the biggest challenges facing the Muslim Ummah today. He highlighted the necessity of adopting a language of tolerance and coexistence among Muslims by promoting shared human values that call for love and peace, as well as moving beyond outdated historical discourses that incite conflicts, and focusing on future-oriented discourse aimed at building a strong and cohesive society based on mutual understanding and respect.
The Muslim Council of Elders is participating for the third consecutive year with a special booth at the 9th edition of the International Istanbul Arabic Book Fair 2024, held from 10th to 18th August in Istanbul, Turkiye. The Council’s participation aligns with its mission to promote peace, consolidate the values of dialogue and tolerance, and build bridges of cooperation among people of different races and beliefs.
