His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders: The Council seeks, through its various efforts and initiatives, to spread and promote the values of peace, tolerance, and human coexistence

The Secretary-General of the Muhammadiyah Association: The adoption of the concept of national identity by major religious associations in Indonesia has contributed to achieving harmony and coexistence among the various sects in the country

Representative of the Nahdlatul Ulama: Religious institutions in Indonesia play a positive role in promoting the values of human fraternity 

The Muslim Council of Elders' booth at the Indonesia International Islamic Book Fair organized a cultural seminar titled "The Role of Religious Institutions in Supporting Global Peace Through the Experiences of the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Association." The seminar was presented by the esteemed scholar His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders and former Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; Dr. Abdul Mu'ti, Secretary-General of the Muhammadiyah Association; and Dr. Uli al-Absar Abdullah, representative of the Nahdlatul Ulama. The seminar was moderated by Mr. Muhammad Arifin, Director of the Al-Azhar Center for Arabic Language Teaching in Jakarta.

The seminar, held on the main stage of the exhibition and attended by a large and engaged audience, discussed pioneering experiences presented by various religious and international institutions in the field of spreading and fostering peace. At the forefront is the Muslim Council of Elders, an independent international body established in 2014 under the leadership of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and President of the Muslim Council of Elders. The Council includes a number of the most prominent scholars, experts, and dignitaries of the Muslim world known for their wisdom, moderation, justice, and independence. The Council aims to promote peace and spread and enhance the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence. The seminar also highlighted the experiences of the Muhammadiyah Association and Nahdlatul Ulama, the two major Islamic organizations in Indonesia, which were awarded the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity on February 4, 2024. These organizations have played a significant role in promoting peace not only in Indonesia but also internationally.

At the beginning of the seminar, the esteemed scholar His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, member of the Muslim Council of Elders and former Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, stated that the Council seeks, through its various efforts and initiatives, to spread and promote the values of peace, tolerance, and human coexistence. He explained that the Council has held seven rounds of dialogue between East and West, culminating in the signing of the most important document in modern human history, the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Additionally, the Council has launched more than 15 international peace convoys across the world's continents to correct misconceptions, encourage Muslims to positively integrate into their societies, and protect them from falling into the traps of extremist and terrorist groups.

Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab further emphasized that the Council firmly believes in the important role of youth in creating peace and enhancing human coexistence. Therefore, it has launched many initiatives and activities to develop their talents, refine their skills, and support their efforts in building peace and human coexistence. These include initiatives such as the "Emerging Peacemakers Forum," "The Global Student Dialogue Program on Human Fraternity," and "The Ethics Education Program." He also mentioned that the Council has organized numerous international seminars and conferences that discussed issues and topics related to spreading and enhancing the culture of peace and human coexistence.

For his part, Dr. Abdul Mu'ti, Secretary-General of the Muhammadiyah Association, affirmed that major religious associations in Indonesia, such as the Muhammadiyah Association and the Nahdlatul Ulama, have managed to combine their traditional religious values with the requirements of national identity by adopting a comprehensive and flexible national vision. This has contributed to achieving harmony and coexistence among the various sects in the country, building a cohesive and united society capable of facing political and social challenges. He noted that the Indonesian experience has become an inspiring model for Islamic countries.

Similarly, Dr. Uli al-Absar Abdullah, representative of the Nahdlatul Ulama, explained that the human fraternity model presented by the Nahdlatul Ulama in Indonesia is one of the most prominent examples of the positive role that religious institutions can play in addressing conflicts and disputes and in promoting and enhancing the values of peace, tolerance, and human coexistence. He highlighted Indonesia's pioneering experience in promoting tolerance and human coexistence, where a diverse religious plurality coexists in remarkable social harmony.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating for the third consecutive time with a special booth at the 22nd edition of the Indonesia International Islamic Book Fair 2024, which is being held from August 14 to 18 in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. The Council's participation aligns with its mission to promote peace, reinforce the values of dialogue and tolerance, and build bridges of cooperation among people of different races and beliefs. The booth, located in JCC Hall A&B, features more than 220 publications in various languages that address key intellectual and cultural issues, aiming to correct misconceptions and promote enlightened moderate thought.