His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, received at his residence in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, to enhance cooperation.

During the meeting, the Grand Imam expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in supporting the nation’s issues and spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence. He praised the efforts and initiatives undertaken by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and the close cooperation between the Ministry of Tolerance and the Muslim Council of Elders in the field of consolidating common human values and rooting the culture of coexistence and civilized dialogue. His Eminence also praised the efforts to equip the youth and strengthen their immunity against extremist ideas, and to instill values, morals, and loyalty to the homeland in their hearts.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of His Eminence the Grand Imam, which contributed significantly to introducing the tolerance and moderation of Islam, refuting the claims of extremism and terrorism, correcting misconceptions, and enhancing constructive communication with Muslims around the world. He praised the importance of the visit made by His Eminence to Southeast Asian countries, which included Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, and the initiative of the Alliance of Religions for Development and Peace that His Eminence announced during his visit to Indonesia. He stressed that the MCE, led by His Eminence, contributes significantly to spreading and enhancing the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan congratulated the Grand Imam on the 10th anniversary of MCE founding, while the Grand Imam presented the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence with a special copy of the commemorative medal of the MCE on this occasion.

His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdel Salam, MCE Secretary General, attended the meeting.