Abu Dhabi: As part of its cultural and intellectual program at the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the Muslim Council of Elders' pavilion hosted a seminar titled 'Dialogue and Coexistence in Islamic Heritage: Firm Foundations and Lasting Values.'
According to Emirates News Agency, the seminar featured Counsellor Dr. Ahmed Abdel Zaher, Legal Counsellor at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and Professor of Law at Cairo University; Dr. Mahmoud Najah, Imam of His Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque at the Abrahamic Family House; Professor Zikrur Rahman, Founder and Director of the Indian Arab Cultural Centre; and Dr. Mohand Mechenene, Professor at Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities.
Dr. Mahmoud Najah opened the seminar by affirming that Islam speaks to reason and acknowledges diversity, which are core principles of the Islamic faith. He highlighted that terms such as understanding, contemplation, and reasoning appear over 120 times in the Quran, underscoring Islam's nature as a faith grounded in dialogue and persuasion. He cited historical examples like the Constitution of Medina and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah to illustrate how the Prophet Muhammad practiced dialogue. Dr. Najah expressed concern over platforms that unintentionally misrepresent Islam by promoting distorted messages.
Professor Zikrur Rahman discussed India's religious and linguistic diversity as a divine sign encouraging dialogue and mutual understanding. He noted India's diverse religious landscape, where followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam live in harmony. Rahman mentioned India's progress in promoting peaceful coexistence based on security, well-being, and justice. He also praised the Muslim Council of Elders' participation in the New Delhi International Book Fair, where its publications attracted attention from India's communities.
Counsellor Dr. Ahmed Abdel Zaher commended the UAE's pioneering law to combat discrimination and hate speech, revealing that a new legislative proposal is being developed to uphold human fraternity principles, including equality, religious pluralism, and respect for other religions.
Dr. Mohand Mechenene appreciated the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in promoting dialogue, coexistence, and peace. He emphasised the importance of grounding dialogue in human dignity, a value shared across religions and philosophies. He stressed fostering a culture of tolerance, mutual respect, and acceptance amidst increasing hate speech, extremism, and Islamophobia.
The Muslim Council of Elders' pavilion at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair features over 250 intellectual and cultural publications, including recent releases from Al-Hokama Publishing. These works address pressing intellectual and cultural issues, reflecting the Council's mission to promote peace, foster dialogue, and instil tolerance and human fraternity values.
