His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council has issued a decree selecting His Eminence Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Grand Mufti of the Caucasus as the newest member of the Muslim Council of Elders. 

As Grand Mufti of the Caucasus, His Eminence Allahshukur Pashazadeh is the spiritual leader of Muslims in Azerbaijan, Republic of Georgia, and Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Karachay–Cherkessia, and Adygea in the Russian Federation. He is also the Chairman of the Baku International Center for Interfaith and Inter-civilizational Cooperation (BCIC) as well as the Co-chair of CIS Interreligious Council and the Chairman of the Advisory Council of Muslim Leaders of CIS and the current Chairman of the Supreme Religious Board of Caucasian peoples. As leader of Azeri Muslims, he has made concerted efforts to promote interreligious dialogue, tolerance and multiculturalism on local and international levels.

Commenting on his selection to the Muslim Council of Elders, His Eminence Allahshukur Pashazadeh said, "My selection to the Muslim Council of Elders is a true recognition of Azerbaijan's important contributions towards the preservation of Islamic culture as well as its advocacy of interreligious and intercultural cooperation, coexistence and human fraternity."

The Grand Mufti of the Caucasus added, "It is with great honor that I represent Azerbaijan and the entire Caucasus region in this truly important and influential Islamic organization. My sincere gratitude goes to His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Council as well as all other members of this prestigious organization for the trust they have placed on me. I have no doubt that by working together, we can have a profound and positive effect on Islam and Muslims around the world."

The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international organization that promotes peace in Muslim communities by discouraging conflict and other issues that lead to divisiveness. The Council is comprised of various Muslim scholars who are known for their wisdom, justice, independence, and moderateness. It strives to represent all the forms of Muslim communities and encourages reconciliation to prevent foreign intervention, divisiveness and conflict.