Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, secretary-general of Muslim Council of Elders focus on deepening cooperation

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Archbishop of Constantinople, met with the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, in Istanbul, Turkey. The discussion focused on enhancing mutual cooperation in promoting and fostering the values of tolerance, coexistence, and interfaith dialogue, as well as its role in combating hate speech and addressing global challenges. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Archbishop of Constantinople, met with the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam in Istanbul, Turkey, July 2024, Photo: Ecumenical Patriarchate Press 25 July 2024 The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his appreciation for the efforts of His Eminence Prof. Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb in solidifying the values of coexistence and human fraternity, building bridges of communication and understanding between religions. He emphasized the importance of joint efforts to deepen religious and cultural dialogue and expressed his eagerness to enhance cooperation with the council to address the common challenges that hinder peace and stability in societies. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam praised the role of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in promoting interfaith dialogue, particularly concerning climate change and combating hate. He expressed his appreciation for His Holiness's efforts in spreading a culture of understanding and mutual respect. He reaffirmed the council's commitment to working with all active parties worldwide to promote peace and counter all forms of extremism, hatred, racism, intolerance, and discrimination. Judge Abdelsalam also highlighted that true friendship, especially among those dedicated to humanity and striving for genuine peace, can overcome challenges and obstacles. He referenced the global model of fraternal relations between His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Justin Welby. Among the fruits of these efforts are the Human Fraternity Document in Abu Dhabi, considered the most significant in modern human history, as well as the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, which was held at the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, in July 2023. During the meeting, His All-Holiness congratulated the council on its tenth anniversary, acknowledging the significant steps it has taken in its first decade to promote the spirit of tolerance, love, and fraternity among all people, regardless of their differences and diversity. He expressed his hopes for continued success and further achievements in collaboration with the council in the coming period. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland