EULEMA General Assembly in Seville: Muslim-Jewish Solidarity in Difficult Times
EULEMA held its General Assembly in Seville on 14–15 October 2023, in the historic region of Andalusia — a land shaped by centuries of coexistence between Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities. The Assembly convened alongside the board meeting of the Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council (MJLC), making it a landmark gathering of Muslim and Jewish religious leaders from across Europe at one of the most challenging moments for interfaith solidarity.
The timing was deliberate. With the war in Israel and Palestine and the devastating loss of civilian lives weighing heavily on participants, the decision to meet — rather than retreat — carried a clear message: Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe must stand together precisely when standing together is most difficult.
KAICIID Secretary General Dr. Zuhair Alharthi and Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Antonio de Almeida-Ribeiro addressed the EULEMA General Assembly, praising the work carried out under the leadership of Chairman Imam Yahya Pallavicini and affirming KAICIID’s continued partnership with EULEMA in building a resilient and representative European Muslim leadership.
Imam Pallavicini remarked that rabbis and imams from across Europe are collaboratively endeavouring to prevent any exploitation of faith and to safeguard the foundations of European society. Sheikh Faid Mohammed Said, member of both EULEMA and the MJLC, also took part in the meetings.
EULEMA General Assembly, Seville, October 2023. H.E. Ambassador Antonio de Almeida-Ribeiro (KAICIID Deputy Secretary General) and EULEMA Chairman Imam Yahya Pallavicini.
Key Outcomes
The General Assembly adopted a new two-year action plan outlining how EULEMA will strengthen its voice for Muslim communities across Europe. The joint gathering with the MJLC reinforced the internal structures of both bodies and deepened engagement with regional and national stakeholders.
The overarching message of the Seville Assembly was unambiguous: Muslim-Jewish cooperation and solidarity in Europe are not merely desirable — they are more essential than ever.
