Dearborn: The Muslim Council of Elders is set to participate in the inaugural America International Arabic Book Fair, scheduled to take place in Dearborn, Michigan, from May 1 to 4, 2025, at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Centre. This marks a significant effort by the Council to engage with Arab and Muslim communities, as well as the broader American public, by promoting values of moderation, tolerance, and coexistence.
According to Emirates News Agency, the participation aims to foster constructive dialogue on key issues affecting local communities. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, emphasized the importance of this event, stating, "We are thrilled to participate in the America International Arabic Book Fair, celebrating Arabic culture and fostering dialogue in Dearborn's vibrant community and the United States of America in general. Through this participation, we aim to advance the noble cause of peace through dialogue and understanding of the community's needs and challenges."
The Muslim Council of Elders is committed to fostering unity and bridging divides through mutual respect among all communities. The inaugural book fair is seen as a platform for meaningful exchanges, enhancing the commitment to coexistence and human fraternity.
The Council's pavilion will display over 250 intellectual and cultural publications, including numerous 2025 releases from Al-Hokama Publishing. It will also feature more than 20 works by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. These publications aim to highlight Islam's tolerance and its rich intellectual and philosophical heritage.
As part of its seminar programme, the Council will host a seminar titled 'Countering Islamophobia: Building Bridges Through Dialogue and Understanding,' on May 2, 2025. This seminar will address the significant concern of Islamophobia among Arab and Muslim-Americans and explore how dialogue and cultural exchange can reshape perceptions. It will also examine the role of media and cinema in both propagating and countering Islamophobia.
Another seminar, 'Intra-Islamic Dialogue: A Reading of the Ahlul Qiblah Call,' will take place on May 3. This discussion will focus on the 'Ahlul Qiblah Call,' a charter for unity among Islamic traditions, launched by the Council during the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in the Kingdom of Bahrain in February 2025.