His Eminence Dr Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has requested for the Muslim Council of Elders to be granted consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, during his meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres in Cairo.

During the meeting, His Eminence said, “The Muslim Council of Elders is comprised of a number of Islamic thinkers from around the world who are renowned for their moderateness. It seeks to promote security and peace in communities while combating extremism and sectarianism through the promotion of coexistence between fellow citizens and nations. It also seeks to promote coexistence as well as tolerance and dialogue between Muslims and followers of other faiths.”

His Eminence added, “For this matter, the Muslim Council of Elders has partnered up with various international entities, namely; Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church who recently signed the ‘Human Fraternity Document’ along with His Eminence the Grand Imam this past February. This goes alongside other partnerships with the Diocese of Canterbury, the Community of Sant'Egidio and various other international organisations.”

The Grand Imam concluded, “The Muslim Council of Elders as an independent international organisation which currently works towards achieving peace and ending conflict, which is one of the principal missions of the United Nations. Therefore, the Muslim Council of Elders requests to be granted consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as per article 71 of the Charter of the United Nations. I have the utmost trust that this step will further promote the goals and vision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in particular and the United Nations in general.”

About the Council:

The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international organisation which promotes peace in Muslim communities by discouraging conflict and other issues that lead to divisiveness. The Council manages its own affairs and states its viewpoints on issues it tackles without the supervision of any government or organisation. The Council is comprised of various Muslim scholars who are known for their wisdom, justice, independence and moderateness. It strives to represent all the forms of Muslim communities and encourages reconciliation to prevent foreign intervention, divisiveness and conflict.