His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad al-Tayyeb, received today, Monday, at Al-Azhar, Ms. Angelina Eichhorst, the European Union Ambassador to Egypt, to discuss ways to enhance scientific cooperation.

His Eminence said: “Today’s world is full of wars and conflicts that are not governed by any rules or morals. These are brutal wars that do not set any standards for killing children and women, or destroying hospitals, schools, mosques, and churches.” He emphasized that the decision-makers in these wars have surpassed the beasts in the jungle. “I did not believe that beasts can ever reach such a monstrous level of killing and shedding innocent blood,” he said, “until we witnessed what is known as the ‘hunger trap,’ through starving innocents to force them out, then targeting and killing them.”

His Eminence emphasized that enabling the occupation in Gaza to perpetrate the most heinous crimes, massacres, and genocide is an ineradicable crime. He pointed out that those who support the Zionist occupation in its continued perpetration of these crimes are relying on materialistic philosophies based on the clash of civilizations and colonial theories, which have become widespread in order to promote neo-colonial ideas and justify the killing of Palestinians and their displacement from their land and homes.

His Eminence also emphasized that these colonial tendencies, unfortunately, undermine efforts to establish a culture of coexistence and brotherhood, and hinder achieving true rapprochement between East and West. He stated, “All calls to establish rapprochement and brotherhood go in vain when the arrogance of power spreads. We believe in heaven's justice and it will come, and we believe that its delay is for a divine reason.” His Eminence asked in condemnation, “What is the secret behind this satanic force that aborts all other forces?!” He added, “We feel disappointed because current policies have inhumane motives.”

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar affirmed, “We had thought that the human being of the 21st century would be more fortunate than his predecessors, and that he would reach the height of happiness, civilization, and humanity. Yet we were surprised to find him more miserable and deprived of rights, due to the exclusion of religion and morality, and the prioritization of the arms economy over the protection of innocent lives.

Eichhorst expressed her happiness at meeting the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and her appreciation for his efforts in promoting the values of brotherhood and coexistence, and instilling a culture of working for the sake of humanity. She noted the fruitful cooperation between Al-Azhar and the EU, through which numerous initiatives and programs are implemented that aim to spread the culture of peace and prepare young leaders to participate in peacemaking. She affirmed the EU's commitment to continuing this fruitful cooperation with Al-Azhar and strengthening it in the future.