President Gokhool warmly welcomed three distinguished international religious leaders for meaningful exchanges at State House yesterday. 
Their visit to Mauritius forms part of the International Council Meeting 2026, jointly organised by Religions for Peace and the Council of Religions – Mauritius.
During his meeting with His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders and one of the principal architects of the landmark Human Fraternity Document signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, discussions focused on the promotion of interfaith dialogue, human fraternity and peaceful coexistence.
Both sides also exchanged perspectives on constitutional reform, drawing on Judge Abdelsalam’s experience as a member of Egypt’s Constituent Assembly responsible for drafting the 2013 Constitution.
President Gokhool was pleased to receive a copy of his book, “The Pope and The Grand Imam – A Thorny Path: A Testimony to the Birth of the Human Fraternity Document”, which traces the journey of this important initiative.
The President of the Republic also had a warm and fruitful exchange with His Virtue Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, spiritual leader of Muslims in Azerbaijan and across the Caucasus region, and Co-President of Religions for Peace.
Conversations built on the momentum of the President’s visit to Azerbaijan in May for the 13th World Urban Forum and explored avenues for strengthening relations and advancing interreligious cooperation.
The Head of State fondly recalled his visit to the historic Bibi-Heybat Mosque in Baku and reaffirmed Mauritius’ commitment to fostering harmony among peoples, cultures and faiths.
In his meeting with His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Elder Metropolitan of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Co-Moderator of Religions for Peace, exchanges centred on key global challenges including climate change, armed conflict, debt and artificial intelligence.
President Gokhool took note of the Orthodox Church’s longstanding engagement in dialogue, peacebuilding and environmental stewardship, and acknowledged the presence of Orthodox Christian communities in Mauritius, including the Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Church in Port Louis.
Discussions also explored potential collaboration with the Council of Religions -Mauritius in advancing environmental protection and shared responsibility for our common future.