Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, said that the Egyptian family needs more interdependence and a return to the proper habits and behavior on which we were brought up in our ancient eastern societies. He called for the elimination of the wrong behavior patterns that have become common in recent times, because some youths attempt to imitate many negative Western customs that do not align with our values and traditions.

During his meeting with members of the Family Culture Committee affiliated with the Egyptian Family House (EFH), His Eminence stressed the need to launch an awareness campaign to confront the custom of asking for a very large dowry and the rising costs of marriage. This exaggeration destroys the family before it is built, and renders some young people and families unable to afford these costs. Consequently, this leads to delaying marriages and raising the number of unmarried youths. His Eminence called on the EFH to increase efforts to support family bonds, and to preserve the Eastern character from the blows of Western customs that do not fit our societies.

Members of the EFH delegation, for their part, expressed their appreciation of the continued support of the Grand Imam for the work of the institution, noting that they held a number of training courses and events in the governorates. These courses emphasize the role of father and mother in the family, especially because some parents fall short of their parental duties due to work or some other reasons.  In addition, the technological leap that often causes family dissociation points out the role and importance of such courses.

The delegation also affirmed that they will work to implement the directives of the Grand Imam, by holding training courses to combat the negative phenomena in society, especially those related to dowries and marriage costs.

The delegation promised His Eminence to hold an expanded training course soon, bringing together dozens of Islamic preachers and Christian priests, to train them in how to interact with the public and strengthen family ties between people. This course will be similar to a course held last June attended by a number of specialized experts from inside and outside Egypt.