Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: The Convening of the First Forum for Young Religious Leaders is a Significant Milestone in the History of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam: The Muslim Council of Elders Places Great Importance on Empowering, Training, and Enhancing the Capabilities of Youth to Become Ambassadors of Peace for Global Civil Society

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: Young Religious Leaders Play a Crucial Role in Addressing Future Challenges Facing Humanity

The Muslim Council of Elders participated in the first Forum for Young Religious Leaders, held under the theme "Shaping a Shared Future: The Role of Young Leaders in Promoting Interfaith Dialogue." The forum took place alongside the 22nd session of the General Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, hosted in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The event saw the participation of around 30 religious leaders and heads of international organizations from 20 countries.

In his speech, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, highlighted the crucial role of young religious leaders in addressing the future challenges facing humanity, particularly in achieving sustainable development, which affects both present and future generations and requires a just and effective response. He emphasized that faith-based values and ethical principles are indispensable in countering the negative effects of individual selfishness, materialistic ambitions, excessive consumption, conflicts of interest, as well as national, ethnic, and religious divides.

Judge Abdelsalam further noted that the first Forum for Young Religious Leaders is a significant milestone in the history of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which began 21 years ago. He pointed out that some of the young leaders attending the forum were born in the same year as the Congress' inception, making their participation a clear signal that the new generation is now carrying the torch and continuing the legacy with an awareness of the global challenges.

He expressed his delight at the participation of an exceptional group of young religious leaders, who are motivated by their faith to work together for the common good of the world, playing their part in shaping a shared future for its people through the noble message of religions and promoting dialogue and understanding among different faiths. He commended the innovative concept behind the forum, which included an interactive exhibition that combined art, literature, and information, showcasing youth contributions to developing the forum. The goal was to shape a shared future in which young religious leaders promote interfaith dialogue in a way that reflects their visions and aspirations, meeting the demands of their generation.

Judge Abdelsalam also explained that, under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders is firmly committed to empowering youth, enhancing their capabilities, and preparing them to become ambassadors of peace in global civil society. He highlighted several pioneering initiatives launched by the Council, including the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, the Student Dialogues Program for Human Fraternity, and the Ethical Education Fellowship Program. These initiatives aim to train young people in the values of coexistence and peacebuilding, grounded in a shared vision of a world where individuals of all nationalities, religions, ethnicities, and backgrounds collaborate to foster peace and human fraternity, replacing conflict, violence, and war. The initiatives also create lasting connections between youth, who are the leaders of today and tomorrow, empowering them to guide the world toward establishing peace in various communities.

Judge Abdelsalam also expressed his hope that the outcomes of this foundational forum for young religious leaders would help shape its strategy, define its future direction, and offer creative ideas and proposals that reflect the energy and dynamism expected from the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. He emphasized the importance of involving youth in the interfaith dialogue process, ensuring that their perspectives and vitality drive the dialogue forward.