Muslim Council of Elders: Now Is the Time to Implement the Independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as Its Capital

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, took part in the 21st meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the Kazakh capital, Astana.

In his address, the Secretary-General conveyed the appreciation of the Muslim Council of Elders, led by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, for the work of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and its message. 

He emphasized the conference's esteemed international position since its inaugural session in 2003 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, a nation renowned for its religious and cultural diversity since ancient times.

Abdelsalam pointed out that over the past two decades, during which seven conferences for global and traditional religious leaders were held in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the presence of the Muslim Council of Elders has become firmly established in this significant conference. 

He underscored the symbolic and historic presence of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, in the recent conference in Astana in September 2022, alongside His Holiness Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, and leaders of various world religions.

The Secretary-General indicated that a crucial aspect of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is the representative composition of its participants. 

He stressed that it serves as a pivotal link and a powerful platform in interfaith dialogue while affirming that interreligious dialogue consistently represents an essential solution and a key factor in addressing the common human challenges we face today.

Judge Abdelsalam added that the historical Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity and the global momentum it has generated as well as its unparalleled civilizational model in advancing global peace all underscore the necessity of this significant platform. 

He further noted that the current threats to peace and stability in our world, particularly in the Middle East, in recent days due to wars, conflicts, and escalating animosity, emphasize and compel us to persist in our efforts and collective endeavors to realize a just and comprehensive peace.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders affirmed that it is now time for the international community to take the initiative in promptly granting rights to the rightful owners by executing the two-state solution and establishing the independent Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem, thereby enabling everyone to enjoy peace.

He also expressed the readiness of the Muslim Council of Elders, as a representative entity within the Secretariat of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions Leaders, to contribute to this trajectory, whether through its expertise in coordinating with major global religious institutions and its well-established partnership with the Catholic Church, as well as other representative global religious institutions or by participating in organizing regional and international platforms for interfaith consultations in the conference's agenda for the forthcoming phase. 

He also conveyed his gratitude to Kazakhstan and the Secretariat of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions Leaders for all its sincere endeavors in promoting the message of peace and coexistence among people.