Counselor Muhammad Abd al-Salam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, affirmed his pride in the positive relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and Muslims, expressing his aspiration to strengthen aspects of cooperation between the Council of Muslim Elders and the Russian Orthodox Church, with regard to spreading peace and tolerance and promoting interfaith dialogue. This came during his meeting with Bishop Anthony Severyuk and a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, on the sidelines of his participation in the work of the Seventh Conference of Religious Leaders in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan.
He pointed out that true friendship is capable of overcoming difficulties and the impossible. Especially when it is established between people concerned with humanity, seeking to make real peace, and he cited the global model of the fraternal relationship between the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, head of the Muslim Council of Elders, and Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, which culminated in their signing of the Human Fraternity Document, in Abu Dhabi; To be a joint declaration urging peace among mankind.
Counselor Mohamed Abdel Salam also referred to the Muslim Council of Elders’ interest in implementing global initiatives in support of peace and dialogue, foremost of which is the “East-West Dialogue”, and the Peacemakers Youth Initiative, which was held by the Council in cooperation with Canterbury Church in London, which aims to train young people on dialogue and communication. humanitarian, and the positive contribution of youth in global decision-making.
For their part, members of the Russian Orthodox Church delegation expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in promoting peace and the role of the Grand Imam, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, head of the Muslim Council of Elders in consolidating the values of coexistence and interfaith dialogue. They affirmed their welcome to cooperate with the Council in launching initiatives to rehabilitate young people and instill the values of love and coexistence. joint. The delegation of the Orthodox Church expressed their support for the Grand Imam’s call for religious leaders to meet and discuss their responsibilities towards moral and environmental disasters, stressing that there is an urgent need at the present time to listen to these wise voices that can lead the world out of conflicts and crises. (wam)