“Intra-Islamic Dialogue and the Contributions of Youth”… A Seminar at the Muslim Council of Elders’ Pavilion at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Khalifa Khalid, a participant at the Emerging Peacemakers Forum: The Intra-Islamic Dialogue initiative, has created an unprecedented shift in fostering understanding among Islamic schools of thought
Meera Al Muhairi, a participant at the Emerging Peacemakers Forum: The EPF is a model to be emulated in promoting the values of human fraternity
As part of its cultural and intellectual activities at the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion hosted a panel discussion entitled “Intra-Islamic Dialogue and the Contributions of Youth.” The discussion was led by Mr. Khalifa Khalid and Ms. Meera Al Muhairi from the Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF), an initiative launched by the Muslim Council of Elders.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Khalifa Khalid underscored the significance of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue initiative launched by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. He described it as a historic and transformative step in strengthening dialogue and understanding among various Islamic sects and intellectual traditions, and in reinforcing a culture of coexistence in the face of division and conflict. He pointed out that the Grand Imam’s call came at a pivotal moment, during the Bahrain Dialogue Forum, and was embraced by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who recognized the historic importance of the initiative.
Mr. Khalid emphasized that youth are the driving force behind achieving the goals of the Document on Human Fraternity, which was signed by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and His Holiness Pope Francis, former Pontiff of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. He affirmed, “We must start with the youth—they make up the majority in every society and possess the energy to effect change.” He noted two main areas of focus to achieve this: first, instilling a strong Islamic identity and core values among youth in the face of globalization and modern challenges; and second, building bridges of communication and mutual understanding, based on the principle that "the more we come to know the other, the more gracefully we learn to live beside them."
For her part, Ms. Meera Al Muhairi shared her personal experience participating in the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, saying: “I was fortunate to be part of this forum, which impressed me with its diversity and depth. It prompted me to ask profound questions: Can the ideas of other faiths influence my own thinking? Can I benefit from them?” She added, “Together with a group of students at the University of Cambridge, we studied texts from the Qur’an, the Bible, and the Torah. It was a deeply enriching experience that deepened my love for Islam and made me realize that while the religious messages may differ, the essence of religion is one.”
Ms. Al Muhairi affirmed that the forum opened new horizons for her in terms of accepting others, coexistence, and tolerance. She praised the efforts of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, describing it as a model to be emulated in this field, for its impactful programs and initiatives that foster a culture of dialogue and tolerance among the younger generations.
It is worth noting that the Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair features more than 250 diverse intellectual and cultural publications, including several of the Council’s latest releases for the year. These works address critical cultural and intellectual issues in line with the Council’s mission to promote peace and uphold the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence. The pavilion is located in Hall 10, Booth 10C35.