The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has met His Eminence Sayed Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai, the official representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali Al-Sistani.

During the meeting, Judge Abdelsalam emphasized the importance of mutual work and efforts in order to achieve dialogue and understanding between all schools of Islamic thought, particularly Sunni and Shia Islam. He added that Islam is the religion of peace and that there are many common values between different Islamic sects which can be built upon in order to build serious channels of dialogue. All Muslims believe in a single God, Prophet and holy book which is evident in the Quranic verse, “Indeed, this nation of yours is one nation, and I am Your Lord, therefore worship Me.”

Abdelsalam also stressed the honest invitation by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to conduct an inter-Islamic dialogue, which is the basis of the Council’s message of uniting the Muslim world. 

The Secretary-General also expressed his appreciation of the efforts of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali Al-Sistani to unite the people of Iraq which is highlighted in his famous quote, “Sunnis are a part of us”.

For his part, His Eminence Sayed Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai praised the Council’s role under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb in spreading coexistence, tolerance and peace. He also expressed his happiness at meeting the Council’s delegation which he felt is a positive step towards enhancing Sunni-Shia relations and opening unlimited lines of communication since such meetings reflect a mutual respect between official religious organizations.

Al-Karbalai added that such meetings have also helped curb the influence of extremist groups, which only serve to divide Muslims and spread sectarianism and extremism, which only serves to weaken the Islamic world. The official representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali Al-Sistani also passed on the greetings of the Grand Ayatollah to His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders