His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, during the latter’s visit to Cairo. The Grand Imam stated that agreeing on a unified Arab vision is the only solution to the problems of the Muslim world, since it faces agendas and schemes to fragment and weaken it through the specter of terrorism. According to the Grand Imam, these schemes impute terrorism to Islam with the purpose of undermining it. He then stressed that Al-Azhar is the last bastion in confronting this conspiracy, and therefore it is frequently exposed to attacks that seek to undermine it to realize these schemes. He also indicated that Al-Azhar serves the nation and all its peoples and exports a culture of peace to the world through its international students and its envoys. It also serves the nation, the Grand Imam adds, through openness to the world’s major religious institutions to work together for peace for all people. He noted that Al-Azhar is now working to involve the youth of different religions and cultures in its efforts to promote tolerance and peace. This is done out of Al-Azhar’s belief in their ability to communicate, hold dialogue and find creative solutions to the problems facing the world today. 

For his part, Dr. Al-Othaimeen expressed the OIC’s aspiration to strengthen cooperation with Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif in the areas of promoting education and health, preserving the family and society, and addressing the problems of the Muslim world, such as linking Islam with terrorism. He stressed that Al-Azhar enjoys the trust of the entire Muslim world, due to its pioneer approach in educating Muslims on coexistence, peace and acceptance of the other. He then indicated that the OIC seeks to benefit from Al-Azhar’s expertise in confronting terrorism and mainstreaming global peace.