AhlulBayt News Agency: The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al‑Azhar, reaffirmed that intellectual vigilance and the promotion of enlightened awareness form the first line of defense against extremism, racism, terrorism, and Islamophobia.
In a statement marking the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, observed annually on 12 February, the Council stressed that violent extremism and hate speech are not confined to any particular religion or culture. It emphasized the need to strengthen citizenship values, deepen dialogue, respect diversity, and promote enlightened religious understanding—especially among youth, who remain the primary targets of extremist groups.
Dr. Ahmed Al‑Tayeb underscored that Islam, like all divine religions, was revealed to ensure human dignity and wellbeing, and was never intended to justify hatred, violence, extremism, or terrorism.
He called for unified global efforts to advance dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and peace among all people, regardless of religion, culture, or ethnicity, stressing that this approach is the most effective means of protecting societies and preserving human dignity.
The Muslim Council of Elders highlighted its ongoing initiatives to counter extremist ideologies and correct misconceptions. These efforts include seven rounds of East‑West dialogue, more than fifteen international peace convoys across multiple continents, and the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, which empowers youth to promote peace and coexistence. These initiatives culminated in the historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by the Grand Imam Ahmed Al‑Tayeb and the late Pope Francis.
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