The Grand Imam said that religious scholars have a great and important role in addressing contemporary issues and dealing with emerging ones with appropriate rulings in light of the purposes and general principles of Sharia and the interests of people. Al-Azhar has always been playing this role throughout its history for more than a thousand years. Al-Azhar International Conference on Renewal of Islamic Sciences, held last year, gained wide popularity and acceptance thanks to the diligent participating scholars who exercised juristic reasoning on issues that directly affect people's lives and interests.

 During his meeting today with Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary-General to the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Al-Azhar Grand Imam stressed that the Arab and Muslim world should be proud of its identity and culture. They should be vigilant against the attacks of those who invade their societies culturally and intellectually in an attempt to impose their cultures on the Muslim societies, which have their own peculiar identity. We are now struggling against loss of identity, for some of our youths have become without identity; they are neither Eastern nor Western. The Grand Imam confirmed that the heritage and history of Muslims brim with what makes them proud, providing them with the potential for progress and prosperity, and inviting them to take advantage of the developments and keep pace with our modern age.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) expressed his appreciation for and pride in Al-Azhar’s historical role in serving the nation’s causes. He also said that the IIFA attaches great importance to cooperation with Al-Azhar, and always seeks to benefit from Al-Azhar’s experience in the field of discourse renewal, and in correcting misconceptions. Noting that he took up his mission 8 months ago, Dr. Sano said he has a work map focused on addressing contemporary issues and benefiting from the diverse cultures and ideas of the IIFA members in holding discussions on various jurisprudential issues and addressing them in accordance with the purposes of Sharia and the interests of people.