ABU DHABI // Members of a council of high-ranking Islamic scholars flew from Abu Dhabi to the Indonesian capital on Sunday to provide support to fellow scholars in Jakarta.
Led by the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed El Tayeb, the Muslim Council of Elders will share ideas with hundreds of Indonesian Islamic scholars on how to highlight the true moderate essence of Islam to the masses, following extremist attacks in the country last month.
The initiative follows projects carried out by the council since its inception in Abu Dhabi in July 2014, such as sending peace envoys to areas of conflict and sending letters to extremist groups. The members are 14 Islamic experts and scholars who aim to fight extremism by promoting peace and correct religious speech.
Dubai Grand Mufti Dr Ahmed Al Haddad, who is a council member, said that despite the facts that Indonesia has unified, moderate Islamic principles and follows one Sunni sect, it has been invaded with “new, intrusive” thoughts that are alien to its society.
Since the country has the largest Muslim population in the world, with about 100 million Indonesian Muslims, “they are looking up to the council and what it will offer them”, Dr Al Haddad said.
The visit will strengthen Indonesian religious authorities and scholars, because they are being supported personally by the head of the oldest and most prominent Islamic university, Al Azhar.
“Al Azhar has a great status in Indonesia, especially since many of the country’s scholars graduated from it,” said Dr Al Haddad. “So they share the same ideas.”
The fact that he is accompanied by a council of elders also boosts their image and credibility among society to ward off extremist influence, he said.
Dr Kaltham Al Muhairi, council member and assistant professor at the Zayed University Institute of Islamic World Studies, said the visit in itself delivers a message to the Muslim world that “we are with you wherever you are and whenever you desire”.
Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, secretary general of the council, said the visit was requested by Indonesian president Joko Widodo.
The elders will also share ideas and expertise with heads of Islamic societies and students at universities and institutes.
The council will meet Mr Widodo on Monday morning. The meeting will be followed by an open discussion with about 300 Indonesian scholars.
The elders’ seventh meeting will take place on Monday afternoon.
Several plans that came out of previous council meetings have been carried out on the ground, such as sending peace envoys to spread awareness on correct understandings of Islam.
The envoys have visited the US, Italy, France, Pakistan, Chad, South Africa and Indonesia, and will visit 16 more countries this year.
hdajani@thenational.ae
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Skewed figures
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')
Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')
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How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
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Director: Jared Hess
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Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
