Discussion of the Muslim Council of Elders' efforts in combating climate change during the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar's meeting with the President of Azerbaijan

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has today met Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to discuss enhancing mutual relations and cooperation.

During the meeting, His Eminence affirmed his readiness to increase efforts in training imams and preachers from Azerbaijan through a tailor-made program for Azerbaijan's unique characteristics and aspirations. His Eminence also emphasized the importance of achieving Islamic solidarity, which is one of the challenges facing the Muslim community today. He also stressed that Islamic unity is the only way for Muslims to regain their significant position in the new global order.

The Grand Imam expressed his willingness to elevate cooperation with Azerbaijan at all levels, including collaboration with the Administration of Muslims of the Caucasus under Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh’s leadership. He also proposed establishing a center for Arabic language education in Baku to serve Azerbaijani Muslims in learning the language of the Holy Quran. His Eminence also highlighted the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders and the important initiatives in collaboration with Azerbaijan during COP29, looking forward to more initiatives and enhanced cooperation between Azerbaijan, Al-Azhar, and the Muslim Council of Elders.

For his part, President Aliyev expressed his pleasure at meeting His Eminence the Grand Imam, while emphasizing Azerbaijan’s readiness to enhance mutual cooperation for Islamic unity. He noted Azerbaijan’s practical efforts to strengthen relations and coordination among Islamic nations by adopting a strategy to bring Islamic nations closer.  

President Aliyev also noted that Azerbaijan has hosted several events to promote religious diversity and enhance dialogue between cultures and religions. He highlighted that Muslims in Azerbaijan live in stability and peace alongside fellow citizens from other religions, which makes Azerbaijan a model of coexistence among different faiths and cultures.

The President of Azerbaijan also extended an official invitation to His Eminence the Grand Imam to visit Azerbaijan and participate in COP29, as well as to hold meetings with representatives of various religious bodies in Azerbaijan. His Eminence welcomed the invitation and expressed his hope that COP29 would be successful and lead Azerbaijan towards further development and prosperity. He emphasized the importance of coordination between global decision-makers and religious leaders, particularly regarding the climate change crisis and humanitarian challenges, especially during this chaotic global period when the roles of major international institutions have diminished.

President Aliyev was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hikmet Hajiyev, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan; His Eminence Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, member of the Muslim Council of Elders and spiritual leader of Muslims in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus; Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations in Azerbaijan; and Dr. Elkhan Polukhov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Egypt.