On the International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence based on Religion or Belief - The Muslim Council of Elders: Freedom is the Right of Every Individual in Belief, Thought, Expression, and Practice

Muslim Council of Elders Calls for the Necessity of Confronting All Forms of Violence, Hatred, and Bigotry Perpetrated in the Name of Religion

Under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders firmly asserts that freedom is a fundamental right for every individual, encompassing their beliefs, thoughts, expressions, and practices. The Council also emphasizes the urgent need to confront all forms of hatred, violence, racism, incitement, and discrimination perpetrated in the name of religion, underlining that all religions unequivocally reject such actions.

In a statement commemorating the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief, observed by the United Nations on 22 August of each year, the Muslim Council of Elders declares that diversity and differences in religion, ethnicity, and language are expressions of divine wisdom and that Allah created humanity with this diversity, establishing it as the foundation for the freedom of belief, diversity, and the prohibition of coercing individuals into adopting a particular religion, culture, or imposed ways of life. 

Furthermore, the statement asserted that these principles align with the Document on Human Fraternity, the historic agreement co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The Muslim Council of Elders looks to apply concerted efforts to reinforce diversity, respect, acceptance of others, positive integration, dialogue, and tolerance among followers of different religions and cultures.