H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam is the Secretary General of the Higher Committee on Human Fraternity and the Muslim Council of Elders, and the former legislative and legal advisor to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb. He was awarded papal knighthood—“Knight Commander with Star of the Order of Pius IX”—by Pope Francis for his services towards spreading tolerance and interfaith dialogue. He is the first Arab and Muslim to receive this accolade.