As part of its cultural and intellectual program at the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the Muslim Council of Elders hosted a seminar titled “The Message of Religions for Coexistence and Peace.”
The seminar featured a distinguished panel including Dr. Maria Mohammed Al Hatali, Secretary-General of the UAE Council for Fatwa; Dr. Mahmoud Najah, Imam and preacher of Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi; Rev. Bishoy Fakhri, Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Anthony in Abu Dhabi; and Mr. S.P. Singh, Chief Sikh Priest and Director General of the Sikh Temple in the UAE.
Opening the seminar, Dr. Maria Al Hatali expressed her appreciation for the Muslim Council of Elders’ efforts to amplify the voice of religions in addressing global challenges and countering hate speech and violence.
She emphasized the importance of shared religious values—such as belief in human dignity, freedom of belief, citizenship, and justice—noting that these values are common to Islam and other divine traditions.
She further explained that extremist groups have distorted religious texts to manipulate and recruit youth, pointing out that 80% of recruitment and radicalization takes place through social media platforms.
Dr. Al Hatali stressed the urgent need to renew religious discourse so that it is balanced, relevant, and capable of engaging young people through the digital platforms they use.
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