The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, asserts that cultural diversity is a human value reflecting diverse human experiences and is also a divine law which is a part of the fabric of the universe, promoting harmony, cooperation, dialogue, and mutual understanding.  In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah says: {O mankind, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted} (Surah Al-Hujurat: 13). Since the dawn of Islam, the Islamic world has witnessed rich intellectual and cultural diversity that has enriched its civilization and extended its influence across the world.

In a statement on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, which is observed on May 21 each year, the Council emphasizes that embracing cultural and civilizational diversity among individuals is the only path to establishing a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and human fraternity. It is also crucial for combating all forms of hatred, discrimination, racism, and extremism. The Council also calls for intensified efforts to promote the values of pluralism, mutual respect, acceptance of others, and intercultural dialogue to achieve development and build a better future for coming generations characterized by understanding, peace, and harmony.

The statement highlights that the Muslim Council of Elders is diligently working to promote a culture of dialogue and underscore the importance of respecting diversity and building bridges of communication. The Council has launched numerous initiatives, including East-West dialogues, international peace convoys and the Emerging Peacemakers Forum. Additionally, the Council played a key role in launching the historic Document on Human Fraternity, which was co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The document affirms that pluralism and differences in religion, color, gender, race, and language are expressions of divine wisdom, which Allah has created humanity upon, making it a fundamental basis from which rights and freedoms stem.