Islamic unity is the only way for Islamic countries to occupy an important position in the new world order, the Grand Imam

 

We are ready to enhance cooperation with Al-Azhar for the sake of Islamic unity, Ilham Aliyev

 

Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, received today, Saturday, at Al-Azhar, Mr. President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to discuss ways to enhance relations between Azerbaijan and Al-Azhar.

 

His Eminence the Grand Imam welcomed Mr. Aliyev and his accompanying delegation to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, stressing the depth of the historical relations between Al-Azhar and Azerbaijan, noting that Azerbaijani students coming to study at Al-Azhar represent an important pillar in this relationship. He stated that Al-Azhar is ready to increase scholarships to the youth of Azerbaijan to study at Al-Azhar in line with Azerbaijan’s requirements, and to host Azerbaijani imams and preachers and train them at Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams, Preachers and Fatwa Researchers, through a program designed specifically for the nature of Azerbaijan and its future aspirations.

 

His Eminence also affirmed Al-Azhar’s readiness to harness all its capabilities to achieve Islamic unity, which is the most prominent challenge facing the Muslim nation in our contemporary time, stressing that the unity of the Islamic ranks is the only way for Muslims to regain their status and occupy an important position in the new world order.

 

His Eminence expressed Al-Azhar’s readiness to raise the level of cooperation with Azerbaijan through cooperation with the Religious Council of the Caucasus, led by His Eminence Haji Allahshükür Pashazade, and the establishment of a center for teaching the Arabic language in the capital, Baku, to serve the Muslims of Azerbaijan in learning the language of the Holy Quran. He pointed out his follow-up of the important initiatives that the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) is working on with Azerbaijan, and he affirmed his aspiration for more initiatives and cooperation between Azerbaijan, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the MCE, especially with the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) which is held in the capital, Baku, this year.

 

Mr. Aliyev expressed his happiness to be at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and his readiness to enhance cooperation between Al-Azhar and Azerbaijan for the sake of Islamic unity. He pointed out that Azerbaijan is making practical efforts to raise the level of relations and coordination between Islamic countries, and that it has adopted a strategy for rapprochement between them, for which the Grand Imam expressed his appreciation, calling on Allah Almighty to grant Azerbaijan success in its noble endeavors.

 

President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has hosted several events to consolidate the values of religious diversity and promote dialogue between cultures and religions. He added that Muslims live in stability, peace and understanding side by side with followers of other religions, and that Azerbaijan is a model of coexistence between different religions and cultures.

 

The Azerbaijani President extended an official invitation to the Grand Imam to visit the country, participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) and the Religious Leaders Summit for Climate, and hold meetings with representatives of religious bodies in Azerbaijan. His Eminence welcomed the Azerbaijani President’s invitation and prayed that these summits be crowned with success and prosperity, and that Azerbaijan take great strides towards development and prosperity, and continue to provide a pioneering model for Islamic countries. He hoped that there will be coordination between global political decision-makers and religious leaders regarding the climate change crisis, especially in this period that is characterized by global chaos, in which the roles of international institutions have faded, and in which we need binding strategies for all for the sake of future generations.

 

The President of Azerbaijan was accompanied by a high-level delegation, which included Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov,  Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President for Foreign Policy Affairs, His Eminence Sheikhul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Grand Mufti of Azerbaijan, and chairman of the Religious Council of the Caucasus, Mr. Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, and Mr. Elkhan Polukhov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Egypt.