The Muslim Council of Elders issued a statement condemning terrorist organizations and extremist networks that exploit religion to propagate hatred, extremism and violence. These groups aim to attract and recruit young people to advance agendas that conflict with the principles of faiths and human values, according to the statement. Such actions undermine efforts to strengthen coexistence and peace within societies, the council said. The Muslim Council of Elders stressed that any leniency toward extremism networks or disregard for their activities threatens the security of nations and the lives of innocent civilians.
Islam forbids aggression against human life and regards its safeguarding as one of the supreme goals of Islamic law, the statement from the Muslim Council of Elders noted. The council cautioned youth against falling victim to promoters of extremism who employ religion as a facade to spread destructive ideas. Religious, educational, media and family institutions must work together to intellectually shield young people, heighten their awareness of recruitment methods and instill values of moderation, citizenship and respect for others.
The Muslim Council of Elders called for combined international endeavors to face down extremist organizations and prevent online platforms from spreading hate, terrorism or calls to violence. Greater intellectual, educational and cultural work is required to dismantle extremist discourse, tackle its roots and advance dialogue, human brotherhood and peaceful coexistence. These measures seek to protect present and future generations from such threats, the council added in its October 10 statement.
The Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Terrorism Index 2026 reported that youth and minors represented 42 percent of all terror-related investigations in Europe and North America in 2025, a threefold rise since 2021. The index found that radicalization periods have shortened sharply to mere weeks in many cases, fueled by online content and algorithmic promotion that exploits vulnerabilities among young people. In the West, social isolation and alienation frequently drive such radicalization while different factors predominate in other regions, according to the index.
This position continues the Muslim Council of Elders’ longstanding rejection of terrorism, extremism and violence, as seen in its multiple 2026 statements condemning plots against the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and other states. In a May statement, the council affirmed that loyalty to the homeland constitutes a religious obligation and that political sectarianism endangers social unity and stability. The body, chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, has consistently advocated for enhanced cooperation to sever funding sources and support for terrorist entities.
On International Youth Day in August 2026, the Muslim Council of Elders described youth as essential to peacebuilding and countering extremism, intolerance and hate speech in a dedicated statement. The council outlined initiatives such as the Emerging Peacemakers Forum and the Student Dialogues Programme for Human Fraternity that engage young people in dialogue and capacity building. These programs reflect the body’s commitment to empowering youth as active contributors to development, stability and the principles outlined in the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity.
