Muslim Council of Elders hosts seminar at ADIBF
As part of its cultural and intellectual programme at the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), the Muslim Council of Elders hosted a seminar titled, 'The Message of Religions for Coexistence and Peace.'
The seminar featured a distinguished panel including Dr. Maria Mohammed Al Hatali, Secretary-General of the UAE Council for Fatwa; Dr. Mahmoud Najah, Imam and preacher of Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi; Rev. Bishoy Fakhri, Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Anthony in Abu Dhabi; and S.P. Singh, Chief Sikh Priest and Director-General of the Sikh Temple in the UAE.
Opening the seminar, Dr. Maria Al Hatali expressed her appreciation for the Muslim Council of Elders' efforts to amplify the voice of religions in addressing global challenges and countering hate speech and violence.
She emphasised the importance of shared religious values, such as belief in human dignity, freedom of belief, citizenship, and justice, noting that these values are common to Islam and other divine traditions.
Dr Al Hatali further explained that extremist groups have distorted religious texts to manipulate and recruit youth, pointing out that 80% of recruitment and radicalisation takes place through social media platforms. Dr. Al Hatali stressed the urgent need to renew religious discourse so that it is balanced, relevant, and capable of engaging young people through the digital platforms they use.
Dr. Mahmoud Najah expressed thanks to the UAE for its pioneering efforts in promoting human fraternity and fostering a culture of coexistence and mutual respect.
He praised the mission of the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, for its commitment to peacebuilding and the promotion of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence.
Rev. Bishoy Fakhri underscored that peace is the essence of faith, not a secondary option. He stated, 'We live in a world overwhelmed by the noise of division, yet as followers of divine religions, we carry the light of peace and love.'
WAM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
9 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Palestinian rights organisation condemns Israel's interception of Madleen flotilla
Palestinian rights organisation Al-Haq has strongly condemned Israel's 'unlawful interception' of the Madleen in international waters, calling for the 'immediate release of all those detained'. 'Israel has no legal authority to restrict access to Palestine, since such is within the exclusive right of the Palestinian people,' the Ramallah-based rights organisation said in a statement. "As people of conscience seek to demonstrate solidarity with and to provide vital support for the Palestinians of Gaza, third states must urgently ensure both that they are protected from the illegal violence of the Israeli state." Al-Haq urges states & intl orgs to ensure safe passage for the Madleen crew. Detained activists must be released & protected now. Let the #Madleen sail to Gaza. #FreePalestine #LetMadleenSail #MadleenToGazahttps://
ARN News Center
3 days ago
- ARN News Center
India's Modi says he's received invitation for G7 summit in Canada
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he looked forward to meeting his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney during the Group of Seven summit, after the latter invited him to the gathering over a phone call on Friday. India is not a part of the grouping but can be invited as a guest to its annual gathering, which will be held this year in Kananaskis in the Canadian province of Alberta, from June 15-17. "Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister (Carney)...thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this forward to our meeting at the Summit," Modi said in a post on X. The invitation suggests that both sides want to rebuild ties, which have nosedived in the last two years after Canada accused India of involvement undefined in a Sikh separatist leader's murder, and of attempting to interfere in the country's 2019 and 2021 elections. New Delhi denied both allegations. Modi also stated in his post that India and Canada would work together "with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests". India is Canada's 10th largest trading partner and Canada is the biggest exporter of pulses, including lentils, to India. Ottawa holds the rotational G7 presidency this year.
Dubai Eye
3 days ago
- Dubai Eye
India's Modi says he's received invitation for G7 summit in Canada
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he looked forward to meeting his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney during the Group of Seven summit, after the latter invited him to the gathering over a phone call on Friday. India is not a part of the grouping but can be invited as a guest to its annual gathering, which will be held this year in Kananaskis in the Canadian province of Alberta, from June 15-17. "Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister (Carney)...thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this forward to our meeting at the Summit," Modi said in a post on X. The invitation suggests that both sides want to rebuild ties, which have nosedived in the last two years after Canada accused India of involvement undefined in a Sikh separatist leader's murder, and of attempting to interfere in the country's 2019 and 2021 elections. New Delhi denied both allegations. Modi also stated in his post that India and Canada would work together "with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests". India is Canada's 10th largest trading partner and Canada is the biggest exporter of pulses, including lentils, to India. Ottawa holds the rotational G7 presidency this year.
