Muslim Council of Elders highlights tolerance as key to global peace and stability

The Muslim Council of Elders has emphasized the importance of fostering the values of tolerance and mutual coexistence as an essential prerequisite for achieving global peace and stability. The council urged world leaders and communities to double their efforts to uphold these values and to reject violence and conflicts that threaten societal stability, drain resources, and endanger the future of coming generations.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, celebrated annually on November 16, the council said that tolerance is not merely a moral virtue but a fundamental requirement for societal progress and stability, stressing that escaping the cycle of wars and conflicts, which victimizes the innocent, the poor, and the vulnerable worldwide, can only be achieved through the establishment of a culture of tolerance and peace.

The council affirmed that Islam, at its core, is a religion of mercy and coexistence, citing the Quranic verse: “We have created you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another”, as a clear call for building bridges of understanding and communication among peoples, adding that these values contribute to reinforcing the principles of justice and compassion, leading to the creation of cohesive and secure societies.

The Muslim Council of Elders is an independent international organization that was established in 2014 to promote peace in the Muslim communities. It brings together Muslim scholars, experts and dignitaries who are known for their wisdom, sense of justice, independence and moderateness.