A delegation from the Muslim Council of Elders have met the head of the Sunni Endowment Office in Iraq Dr. Mishaan Al-Khazraji alongside a number of prominent Sunni scholars in the capital Baghdad.

During the meeting, Dr. Al Khazraji welcomed the Council’s delegation along with the Secretary-General of the Council Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam by stressing the importance of such visits to the Iraqi people since they help lay new foundations of communication with all facets of Iraqi society. 

Al Khazraji also praised the Council’s role under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb in promoting coexistence and Islamic unity by defending its core issues. 

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said, “Iraq is nation dear to the hearts of all Arabs and Muslims as it is an academic and cultural hub for the entire Islamic world. Iraq had produced scholars such as Abu Hanifa, Imam Al Kailani, Imam Al Junaid, Al-Darqutni as well as Imam Al-Ash’ari who united the Muslim world with his moderate values.”

Judge Abdelsalam also noted that the Council’s visit, to Iraq which included visits to scholars in Najaf and Baghdad, is in fact akin to visiting the entirety of Iraq. He also pointed to the Council’s great emphasis on building fraternal relations with the people of Iraq, regardless of their background.

Abdelsalam concluded that the Council firmly believes that Iraq is a nation of coexistence throughout its history and can one day retain its rightful place among the Arab and Islamic worlds. The coming period, he noted, will see an increased communication between the Council and all facets of Iraqi society. 

The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international organization based in Abu Dhabi which was founded in 2014. It is chaired by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and is comprised of various Muslim scholars who are known for their wisdom, justice, independence, and moderateness. It strives to promote peace in Muslim communities by discouraging conflict and divisiveness.