ABU DHABI, 21st February, 2023 (WAM) -- The Muslim Council of Elders Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has met with the Speaker of the Senate of Canada George Furey, at the Council's headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, Judge Abdelsalam affirmed that - under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar - the Muslim Council of Elders' primary message is to strengthen the role of young people in their societies and promote the principles of tolerance, coexistence, fraternity, love, and peace among all people regardless of race, religion or gender.

Abdelsalam also praised Canada's initiatives that advance interfaith dialogue and harmony among people, which aligns with the council's mission. This is inspired by the co-signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders alongside Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Furey, in turn, applauded the Muslim Council of Elders' efforts to spread human fraternity values and the ideals of peace and cooperation via a number of significant initiatives. He added that the Canadian Senate places a high value on matters relating to human rights, dialogue, while opposing all forms of hate speech, racism, intolerance, and Islamophobia.

In addition, Furey emphasised the significance of coordinating efforts and cooperating with the Muslim Council of Elders' initiatives, particularly those involving the youth, interfaith dialogue, and addressing the harmful consequences of climate change.

The meeting was attended by a number of Canadian senators alongside the Canadian Ambassador to the UAE Radha Krishna Panday.