In a national initiative from Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, with the participation of the Cabinet, the National Egyptian Church, and the grass-roots leaders, and in this historical day as the first Egyptian Revolution anniversary, the Revolution which impressed the world with its unprecedented characteristics and peaceful nature, the Egyptian national consensus of all its men and women, and its use of the most recent tools of the contemporary revolution in global communications to achieve its first revolutionary aim, that is to rescue Egypt from an age infamous for corruption, weakness, suppression, and injustice. On this day, all the Egyptians return to the place which witnessed the birth of the Revolution and the sacrifices of the loyal patriot youth who sacrificed their souls for Egypt. Today, Egypt returns to Taḩrīr Square whose name is transliterated into all the languages of the world, and which impressed many peoples of the East and the West by its democratic spirit.
Today, Egypt—the square, the parliament, the army, the people, the government, Al-Azhar, and the homeland; Egypt—the Arab nationalism, Islam, Christianity, history and heritage, the present and future, the true religiousness and the integrated civil freedoms--looks at the whole world with its noble revolutionary face, and declares these national obligations:
1- Maintaining the spirit of this square as it was during the 18 days which changed the course of the Egyptian history and brought all the citizens of the country together.
2- The national covenant–under all the previously-mentioned values–to complete the objectives of the January 25 Revolution.
3- The national agreement to maintain all the components of this country, without predominance, domination, exclusion or bias.
4- Affirming the constitutional right of the citizen to be tried before his natural civilian judge, avoiding military courts for civilians and releasing all political detainees.
5- Accelerating the prosecution of the accused corrupt figures without prejudice, with respect to right, justice, and fairness.
6- Completing the fulfillment of the rights of the families of the martyrs and the injured regarding treatment, compensation, employment, and full care.
7- Proceeding on the democratic building of the country's institutions, and handing over the power to the civilians in its determined date without any delay.
8- Respecting the results of the fair free elections and building cooperation among all the Revolution's youth and elected national representatives to build up the future of Egypt under the umbrella of democracy based on parliamentary legitimacy and national consensus.
9- Removing the effects of the repressive policies and the comprehensive corruption backed by serious work on building a strong Egyptian economy, investing all the capabilities of Egypt, and achieving justice for all its citizens.
10- Taking Egypt back to its national role as a leading regional power and contributing to the international policy through free decision without any dependence or bias.
11- Taking the national army, the asset of the country, and the custodian of its revolution, back to its role in defending the borders of Egypt and its national security.
12- Releasing the energy of the people, especially the promising revolutionary youth, to build the society and the state. In addition to combating backwardness, poverty, disease, and ignorance, and promoting Egypt's political, economic, and moral development, to be the bright example for the Arab and Muslims nation.
Allah is the best witness. He is Sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of all affairs.
Al-Azhar Headquarter,
Ṣafar 17, 1433 AH/January 11, 2012 CE
Ahmad At-Tayyeb
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar