In response to the significant global challenges of 2024, His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, spearheaded notable initiatives and efforts, meeting with numerous global leaders and dignitaries and engaging in productive discussions that embraced a universal human message. These talks advocated for unity and solidarity to tackle pressing humanitarian issues that pose threats to the international community. Furthermore, he underscored the critical need to strengthen intra-Islamic dialogue to consolidate the Islamic world in addressing shared challenges.

Throughout the year, in acknowledgment of his critical role in fostering a culture of tolerance and human coexistence, as well as promoting the peaceful and enlightened principles of moderate Islam, His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, has captured the admiration of Muslims and peace advocates worldwide. This esteem prompted numerous global leaders and dignitaries to seek meetings with him. Among them were Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who expressed his appreciation for the role of the Muslim Council of Elders in promoting peace and combating extremist thought, and Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These leaders sought to discuss the most pressing issues facing the Islamic world. His Eminence expressed the Council’s readiness to open a regional office in Sarajevo to support Muslims in Europe. Additionally, he met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto; together, they emphasized the need for unity among the Islamic community and announced Indonesia’s hosting of the 'Religions for Development and Peace' conference, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders.

Recognizing Southeast Asia's critical role as a center for peaceful coexistence among diverse races and cultures, the tour of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, highlighted his essential efforts in advancing dialogue and reinforcing tolerance and peace. This tour included stops in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, attracting considerable global attention and broad acclaim from both official and public spheres. The Grand Imam received an exceptionally warm welcome in Malaysia, renowned for its cultural diversity and exemplary peaceful coexistence. During his visit, he met with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim ibn Sultan Iskandar, the King of Malaysia, who specifically interrupted his trip to Johor to meet with the Grand Imam. Additionally, His Eminence met with His Excellency Dr. Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and several other officials. Together with the Prime Minister, the Grand Imam inaugurated a council dedicated to scholars and young researchers, where he delivered a lecture on the moderation and generosity of Islam. The visit also included the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) awarding His Eminence an honorary doctorate in Quranic and Sunnah studies, recognizing his leading role in promoting the values of moderation.

In the Thai capital, Bangkok, the second stop of the Grand Imam's Southeast Asia tour, His Eminence met with His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the King of Thailand, as well as the Thai Prime Minister, His Excellency Srettha Thavisin, and His Excellency Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives. This historic visit was met with substantial public celebration; thousands of Thai Muslims from 45 provinces came to meet the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar at a large public gathering organized by the Islamic Center in Bangkok. The event was attended by prominent scholars and imams of Thailand, including Sheikh Aaron Boon Shum (Mohammed Jalaluddin Bin Hussein), Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars of Thailand.

In Indonesia, the third destination on the Grand Imam’s Asian tour, His Eminence was received with exceptional official and popular enthusiasm. He met with the then-Indonesian President, Mr. Joko Widodo, the then Defense Minister and President-elect, Prabowo Subianto, and Dr. Ma'ruf Amin, the Vice President, along with several senior officials and prominent leaders. The visit featured a series of events that reflected the Grand Imam's esteemed position in the hearts of Indonesians. Notable among these were a reception organized by Nahdlatul Ulama attended by leaders and figures from various religions, a grand reception held by the Muhammadiyah organization of Indonesia, and a massive celebration organized by Darunnajah University and affiliated Islamic institutes.

After concluding his historic tour of Southeast Asia, and before returning to the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, visited the United Arab Emirates. During his visit, he met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in promoting values of tolerance and coexistence and supporting efforts to combat hatred and Islamophobia globally, thereby strengthening a culture of civilized dialogue and understanding among peoples. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed praised the pivotal role played by the Muslim Council of Elders under the leadership of the Grand Imam in addressing intellectual and cultural challenges. In turn, the Grand Imam expressed his appreciation for the UAE's role and its efforts in supporting the issues of the Muslim Ummah and promoting global peace.

During his visit to Azerbaijan, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders met with several officials and leaders participating in the COP29 Conference. Prominent among them were His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates; Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev; Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon; Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid; the interim Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Mr. Muhammad Yunus; and Charles Michel, President of the European Council.

In 2024, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar held a series of significant meetings with prominent figures and officials from around the world. These included United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who praised His Eminence's efforts in promoting peace and interfaith understanding; Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with whom he discussed the establishment of a branch of the Muslim Council of Elders in Malaysia; Estonian President Alar Karis, with whom he explored opportunities for cooperation and the promotion of peace; and Verónica Alcocer García, the First Lady of Colombia, with whom he discussed the importance of the Document on Human Fraternity in fostering peaceful coexistence. His Eminence also met with Amara Konneh, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Political Affairs, who expressed appreciation for the Muslim Council of Elders' efforts in promoting human coexistence; Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony; Dr. Mohammed bin Eida Shabiba, Yemen’s Minister of Endowments and Guidance; Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance; and a delegation from the UAE’s General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, led by Dr. Omar Al-Darei, Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat.

As 2024 draws to a close, a year marked by the intensive activities and notable efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, continues his pioneering mission to promote and strengthen the values of peaceful coexistence, constructive dialogue, and the building of bridges between different religions and cultures. His efforts also focus on combating all forms of extremism, hatred, and discrimination, as well as supporting urgent humanitarian causes on the international stage.