For the fifth consecutive year, the Muslim Council of Elders has participated in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023, which is set to take place from 22 to 28 May at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. On the fair’s first day the Council welcomed a number of distinguished guests who were introduced to the initiatives, goals, events, and latest publications of the Council.

The Council's stand, located in Hall 10, showcases a number of its recent publications released this year, along with newly revised editions. It also displays several books and publications that have received significant attention from book fair attendees during previous participations.

In terms of renewing partnerships and collaborations with relevant cultural entities, the Council's stand received various guests on the first day of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. In addition to visitors interested in acquiring the latest publications from the Council's Publishing House, Dr. Ali bin Tamim, President of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center, visited the Council's stand and welcomed its continued participation in the book fair. Meanwhile, Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities in Abu Dhabi also visited the council’s stand and expressed an interest in following the publications released by the Council’s Publishing House.

Among international partners, the stand was visited by Andy Ventris, Director of the London Book Fair, who discussed ways to enhance the Council's participation in next year’s London Book Fair as well as the benefits of doing so. The stand also welcomed Ms. Nathalie Choblet, Cultural Attaché at the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi, to discuss avenues for joint cooperation.

The Council's stand will also organize a number of seminars across the fair’s duration. On Tuesday May 23 at 5.30 PM the council will host Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO and Founder of TRENDS Research and Advisory who will present the seminar ‘Human Fraternity - A Global Call for Dialogue and Solidarity Among Humanity’. The next day, the seminar, ‘Muslim Council of Elders and Promoting Coexistence’ by Datuk Senator Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri member of the Muslim Council of Elders and Malaysia's former Minister of Islamic Affairs will take place. This will be followed by a seminar titled ‘Youth Aspiration and Empowering Leaders - Peacemakers as an Example’ by Islam Badr & Dr. Aisha Khan from the Emerging Peacemakers Forum.

On Thursday, May 25, the Council will host the seminar ‘Identity and Citizenship as a Human Vision’ by His Eminence Al Sayyid Ali Al-Amine followed by a seminar titled ‘The Role of Educational Institutions in Building Bridges of Tolerance and Coexistence’ by Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities in Abu Dhabi.

On May 26, Abdulraheem Mandi Al Tameemi, a faculty member at the Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities will present a seminar titled ‘Peaceful Coexistence’ starting at 5.30 PM. The program will then be concluded on the following day, May 27, with a seminar titled ‘Humans and Environmental Protection’ by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi (The Green Sheikh).

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, affirmed that the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair represents a leading global cultural and intellectual destination that reflects the message of the United Arab Emirates and its wise leadership, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, which also supports and nurtures thought, literature, and culture to promote the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence.

The Secretary-General commended the efforts of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center for organizing this grand international event that brings together more than 85 countries and attracts various prominent writers, thinkers, and publishers from around the world to showcase the distinctive literary and cultural heritage while strengthening the connections between Arab and international societies in the field of publishing.

The participation of the Muslim Council of Elders in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023 stems from the Council's message, led by its Chairman His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, which aims to promote peace and establish values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence.