MCE Secretary-General, IOS President Discuss Strengthening Cooperation

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has met Professor Vitaly Naumkin, President of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Director of the Institute Dr. Ali Akbar Ali Akbarov, during his visit to the Russian Federation. The meeting discussed areas of mutual interest and explored ways to enhance cooperation and exchange academic expertise in strategic research and studies related to interfaith and intercultural dialogue.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders emphasized the importance of strengthening academic and research collaboration among institutions to address global challenges. He highlighted that scientific research and strategic studies are fundamental pillars in achieving social peace and fostering tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity. He also noted that the Muslim Council of Elders actively pursues these goals through its Center for Peace Research, which was established to address gaps in peace studies and related fields of knowledge. The center has produced over 25 research papers involving numerous scholars and academics and has published 17 studies on critical intellectual and cultural topics, including identity-based peace and trends in thought within the Islamic world.

For his part, Professor Naumkin commended the pioneering efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in promoting and consolidating the values of tolerance, pluralism, human fraternity, and mutual respect among different peoples, cultures, and religions. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the Council in developing joint research initiatives that will build bridges of communication and understanding, encourage cultural and intellectual dialogue, and contribute to achieving global peace and security.

The Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, founded in 1818, plays a crucial role in advancing Oriental studies in Russian Federation. It comprises 500 researchers who study the historical, cultural, political, and economic aspects of Asia and North Africa and is one of the largest research institutions specializing in social studies within the Russian Academy of Sciences. The Institute annually organizes a series of conferences, contributing to the publication of 100 books and 700 articles in various scientific and academic fields.