Congress of Leaders of World Religions Elects Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam as Goodwill Ambassador

The members of the General Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan unanimously elected Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, as a Goodwill Ambassador of the Congress for a term of three years. This recognition honors the significant role the Muslim Council of Elders plays in promoting interfaith dialogue and its ongoing commitment to fostering and advancing the values of dialogue, coexistence, and human fraternity. The election took place during the 22nd session of the General Secretariat meetings of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana.

According to the special regulations of the Congress, the title of "Goodwill Ambassador" is awarded to influential figures and leaders who have made notable contributions to promoting dialogue between religions, cultures, and civilizations. It also recognizes those who enhance religious and spiritual values, mutual respect, and the building of harmonious social relations, both nationally and internationally.

The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is one of the most important global conferences aimed at fostering dialogue among religious leaders worldwide. It first convened in 2003, and its seventh edition in September 2022 witnessed the historic and symbolic presence of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, along with His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has served as an advisor to His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, for over 10 years. He is a member of the Center for Interfaith Dialogue at Al-Azhar, a board member of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, co-president of Religions for Peace, and Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. He also served as Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity for four years and played a key role in drafting the historic Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed by Pope Francis and His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Additionally, he was a principal member of the constitutional assembly tasked with drafting Egypt’s new constitution in 2013 and contributed to the preparation of various key Al-Azhar documents.