The Grand Imam stresses the need to reconsider some issues related to women, in which customs and traditions have prevailed

The Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs expresses his country's appreciation for Al-Azhar, its Grand Imam, and his efforts in serving Arab and humanitarian issues

Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI), Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, received Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, today, Sunday, at the headquarters of Al-Azhar to discuss ways of cooperation.

The Grand Imam stressed the depth of the relations between Al-Azhar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially in the scientific and dawah fields, and his appreciation for the Kingdom’s support for the issues of the Arab and Islamic nations, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also appreciated the role of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in serving Muslims.

The meeting addressed women’s rights in Islam, and the Grand Imam stressed the need to reconsider some fatwas on women’s rights, in which customs and traditions prevailing at one time overshadowed the provisions of Sharia. He said that women were wronged due to incorrect and inaccurate interpretations in which the prevailing customs of a certain era prevailed over some provisions of Sharia. He pointed out that the progress of Muslim society depends on the extent to which Muslim women are empowered with the rights that Islam has granted them, and which the Prophet (PBUH) implemented during the early days of Islam. His Eminence added that Al-Azhar has placed women’s issues at the forefront of its priorities, in order to eliminate the inherited traditions and customs that oppress women and detract from their God-given rights. Therefore, Al-Azhar has empowered many female leaders in leadership positions, in order to activate this approach and confirm women’s role in building society.

Dr. Abdullatif Al Sheikh, for his part, expressed his thanks and appreciation to Al-Azhar and the Grand Imam, for the great services he provides for Islam and for Arab and humanitarian issues, looking forward to more cooperation in the scientific and dawah fields.

He explained that the Kingdom has an integrated strategy to enable women to hold leadership positions and all rights stipulated by Islamic Sharia. He explained that there are six female ambassadors representing the Kingdom abroad, in addition to many female ministers, deputy ministers and university presidents. This is a practical and effective application of the Kingdom’s vision to eliminate the inherited traditions and customs that undermine women’s rights.