At the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), the Muslim Council of Elders organized a thought-provoking seminar titled “The Message of Religions for Coexistence and Peace.” The event, part of the cultural and intellectual programme of the fair, brought together a distinguished panel of religious leaders to discuss how different faiths can contribute to peacebuilding and combat global challenges such as hate speech and violence.
The seminar featured key figures including Dr. Maria Mohammed Al Hatali, Secretary-General of the UAE Council for Fatwa; Dr. Mahmoud Najah, Imam of the Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque at the Abrahamic Family House; Rev. Bishoy Fakhri, Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Anthony in Abu Dhabi; and S.P. Singh, Chief Sikh Priest and Director-General of the Sikh Temple in the UAE.
Opening the seminar, Dr. Maria Al Hatali commended the Muslim Council of Elders for its dedication to amplifying the role of religions in addressing pressing global issues. She stressed that shared values like human dignity, justice, freedom of belief, and citizenship are central to Islam and other faiths, and that these universal principles can promote peaceful coexistence. 
Dr. Al Hatali also raised concerns over how extremist groups distort religious teachings to recruit young people, particularly through social media. She emphasized the importance of modernizing religious discourse to be relevant and engaging, particularly in the digital age, where 80% of radicalization takes place.
Dr. Mahmoud Najah expressed his gratitude for the UAE’s efforts to foster a culture of human fraternity and mutual respect. He praised the leadership of the Muslim Council of Elders, led by Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, for its commitment to dialogue, tolerance, and peacebuilding initiatives worldwide.
Rev. Bishoy Fakhri echoed the sentiments of peace, asserting that true faith is built on peace, which should not be considered optional but as the core of all religions. “In a world increasingly divided, the light of peace and love carried by followers of divine religions can overcome the noise of discord,” he said.
The seminar successfully reinforced the vital role of interfaith dialogue in promoting global peace and coexistence, highlighting the common ground shared by the world’s major religions in their call for mutual respect and unity.
