Al-Azhar Grand Imam calls on Islamic countries to adopt an educational strategy to raise their peoples’ awareness of their history, especially the Palestinian cause.

Al-Azhar is ready to provide all forms of support to Islamic centers in the West.

Participants of the fatwa conference: Al-Azhar is the conscience of the nation and the refuge of Muslims of all schools.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad al-Tayyeb received today, Wednesday, at Al-Azhar headquarters, a delegation of Ministers of Endowments, Muftis, heads of the Supreme Islamic Councils, and representatives of Islamic organizations participating in the Egyptian Dar Al-Iftaa conference entitled: “The Making of a Sound Mufti in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The conference was attended by Prof. Nazir Ayad, Grand Mufti of Egypt, and Prof. Mohamed al-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar.

The Grand Imam welcomed the ministers, muftis, and participating delegations, praying to Allah Almighty to grant scholars success in discussing this important topic and contributing to the use of artificial intelligence applications to serve muftis and facilitate their work. He also called for the establishment of an ethical code regulating the use of these technologies in a manner that preserves human dignity and privacy.

The Grand Imam stressed the need to confront the systematic campaigns aimed at distorting the image of Islam and falsely labeling it as a violent religion. These campaigns have contributed to the rise of Islamophobia and hatred of Islam and Muslims, due to complete ignorance of its tolerant teachings and message of peace. He explained that many Western thinkers who have studied Islam fairly and impartially have highlighted its clear truth in their writings, which places a double responsibility on Islamic organizations in the West to expose the falsehood of misinformed narratives about this religion. He indicated that Al-Azhar is prepared to provide all forms of support to Islamic centers in the West, based on its universal mission and its commitment to Muslim unity, in compliance with the Almighty’s saying: “And hold firmly together to the rope of Allah and do not be divided” (Quran 3:103.

His Eminence continued that religious and educational institutions in our Arab and Islamic world bear a religious and moral duty to raise awareness of the Palestinian cause and the history of al-Quds (Jerusalem), especially in light of the brutal aggression that has been ongoing in Gaza for nearly two years. He denounced the lack of knowledge among the sons of the nation of the simplest historical facts about Palestine. He called for the development of an educational strategy in various countries of our Islamic world, aimed at raising the awareness of the youth of their history, especially Palestine, and instilling in them pride in their Arab and Islamic identity, and confronting attempts to falsify history promoted by others. He added that Al-Azhar is fully prepared to cooperate with all countries to develop this strategy that serves the awareness, thought and issues of the nation.

The Ministers of Endowments, Muftis, and heads of Islamic councils expressed their great happiness at meeting His Eminence the Grand Imam and their deep appreciation for his significant efforts in defending the causes of Islam and Muslims around the world. They emphasized that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif represents the conscience of the Muslim nation and a haven for Muslims of all sects, and that Al-Azhar's positions are always welcomed, praised, and followed, due to the great esteem and trust it enjoys among all Muslims worldwide.

The World Fatwa delegation commended the efforts of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and its Imam in strengthening Islamic unity and confronting extremist ideas. They emphasized that Al-Azhar's academic and intellectual initiatives have had a positive impact worldwide, and that it is the only institution capable of combining tradition and modernity in addressing the nation's issues. This is due to Al-Azhar's expansive experience and a history spanning more than a thousand years in disseminating Islamic law and language, and exporting trusted scholars to all over the globe.