'Dialogue, Coexistence in Islamic Heritage.. Seminar at Abu Dhabi Book Fair
As part of its cultural and intellectual program at the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the Muslim Council of Elders' pavilion hosted a seminar titled 'Dialogue and Coexistence in Islamic Heritage: Firm Foundations and Lasting Values.'
The seminar featured Counsellor Dr. Ahmed Abdel Zaher, Legal Counsellor at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and Professor of Law at Cairo University; Dr. Mahmoud Najah, Imam of His Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque at the Abrahamic Family House; Professor Zikrur Rahman, Founder and Director of the Indian Arab Cultural Centre; and Dr. Mohand Mechenene, Professor at Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities.
Opening the seminar, Dr. Mahmoud Najah affirmed that Islam, as the religion divinely chosen for His servants, speaks to reason and acknowledges diversity—both of which are core principles of the Islamic faith.
He pointed out that terms such as understanding, contemplation, and reasoning appear over 120 times in the Quran, underscoring Islam's nature as a faith grounded in dialogue and persuasion.
He referenced historical examples such as the Constitution of Medina and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah to illustrate how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) practiced dialogue throughout his mission. Dr. Najah expressed concern over certain platforms that unintentionally misrepresent Islam by promoting distorted messages that contradict its essence.
For his part, Professor Zikrur Rahman highlighted India's remarkable religious and linguistic diversity as a divine sign encouraging dialogue and mutual understanding. He noted that India is home to a wide array of religions—including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam—whose followers live together in harmony.
He added that India has witnessed growing momentum in promoting peaceful coexistence based on security, well-being, and justice. Professor Zikrur Rahman also commended the Muslim Council of Elders' participation in the New Delhi International Book Fair, where the Council's publications attracted significant attention from India's diverse communities, who are eager to engage with works that reflect Islam's message of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.
Counsellor Dr. Ahmed Abdel Zaher praised the UAE's issuance of a pioneering law to combat discrimination and hate speech, stating: 'The UAE is the only Arab country that has criminalized takfir (excommunication), making it a punishable offense to label others as disbelievers.'
He revealed that a new legislative proposal is currently being developed, aiming to uphold the principles of human fraternity—namely, equality among all people, respect for religious pluralism, righteousness and justice, the principle that one's faith is a personal responsibility, respect for other religions, and the rejection of mockery or insult.
In his remarks, Dr. Mohand Mechenene expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in promoting dialogue, coexistence, and peace.
He emphasized that dialogue must be grounded in the principle of human dignity, which is a shared value across all religions and philosophies.
He also stressed the importance of fostering a culture of tolerance, mutual respect, and acceptance—especially in light of the growing prevalence of hate speech, extremism, and Islamophobia in today's world.
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