Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: The Faith Pavilion Represents a Historic Initiative Proving that Faith Must Actively Address Humanity’s Challenges

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: Climate Challenges Affect Everyone and Pose a Crucial Test for Humanity

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam: The Muslim Council of Elders Believes in the Importance of Harnessing the Spiritual Wealth of Religions to Confront Global Crises and Serve Humanitarian Causes

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, affirmed that the Faith Pavilion at the COP28 and COP29 conferences represents a historic initiative. It has demonstrated that faith should not be confined to traditional religious practices but must be actively engaged in addressing major challenges facing humanity, primarily the climate crisis. He noted that interfaith dialogue can unify efforts to achieve peace, foster fraternity, and facilitate collaborative actions to protect our planet and ensure a secure and sustainable future for upcoming generations.

During a dialogue session at the Faith Pavilion during COP29, organized by Religions for Peace and titled “Faith in Action: Multifaith, Multisectoral, and Intergenerational Cooperation for a Better Future,” the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders emphasized that faith is not merely a spiritual belief or personal experience. Rather, it is a dynamic relationship that bridges beliefs and behaviors, as well as individual and collective values and practices. He highlighted that our actions and behaviors embody the true essence of our faith. When translated into concrete actions, faith manifests in serving humanity, aiding the needy, supporting the marginalized and vulnerable, and fostering the values of peace and coexistence.

The Secretary-General added that major challenges, particularly climate change, pose a critical test for humanity. He noted that under the leadership of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders firmly believes in leveraging the spiritual wealth of religions to address global crises and utilize the transformative power of faith to tackle humanitarian issues. This approach significantly influences societal actions toward collaborative and responsible behavior. In this vein, the Council has initiated several groundbreaking projects, including the East-West Dialogue, Peace Convoys, the Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF), and the Global Summit of Religious Leaders for Climate. These efforts were highlighted by the creation of the first-ever Faith Pavilion at the COP conferences.

The Secretary-General emphasized that the gathering of religious leaders and figures presents a genuine opportunity to unite efforts and enhance collaboration among this distinguished group of institutions and prominent individuals. These leaders are dedicated to spreading religious values and solidifying their message, and are working to develop joint strategies that will build a better future for everyone. He called for continued efforts to amplify the voice of religion in promoting peace, fraternity, and addressing the climate crisis that threatens our children and future generations. He expressed hope that these efforts would yield results that benefit humanity and alleviate our concerns about the future of climate change.