Muslim Council of Elders and the UN Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide discuss ways to enhance the role of youth in addressing hate speech

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders meets the United Nations Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide to discuss ways to engage youth in combating hate speech

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has met with Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. The discussion centered on ways to strengthen cooperation in promoting and embedding a culture of tolerance and human coexistence, in response to the growing spread of hate speech, intolerance, and discrimination. They also explored effective mechanisms to counter these issues, which pose a serious threat around the world.

The Secretary-General highlighted the Muslim Council of Elders' significant efforts in promoting and fostering the values of tolerance, peace, and peaceful coexistence. He emphasized the Council’s role in building bridges of communication and understanding between different peoples and cultures, as well as fostering peace. He also noted that the Council has launched many pioneering initiatives, especially targeting youth, such as the 'Emerging Peacemakers Forum' and the 'Student Dialogues Program for Human Fraternity' which aim to empower and develop the capabilities of young people across various fields, whilst leveraging modern technologies like artificial intelligence and social media platforms to combat harmful ideologies, misinformation, and hate speech, while promoting enlightened and moderate thinking.

For her part, the UN Special Adviser praised the crucial role played by the Muslim Council of Elders under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in addressing contemporary humanitarian challenges such as extremism and hatred. She commended the Council’s pioneering and diverse initiatives, particularly the historic Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity, which she described as one of the most significant documents advancing the values of fraternity and coexistence in modern times. She also underscored the importance of focusing on youth, as they are both highly impacted by and influential within society. This, she stressed, requires international cooperation to develop effective strategies that protect young people from being drawn into destructive ideologies and extremist rhetoric that lead to violence.