The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, mourned the death of former Defense Minister, one of the heroes of the glorious October War, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawy, who passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 85. The Grand Imam indicated that the deceased “departed [from this world] after a long journey marked by generosity and patriotism in which he contributed to the making of Egypt’s heroics and glory.” He also asserted that the deceased was “a military leader of a unique caliber who stood tall in face of the enemies of the homeland at a critical time, cruising its ship to a safe haven.”

The Grand Imam also extends sincere condolences to President Abdel El-Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to the family and relatives of the deceased, to the Armed Forces, and to the Egyptian people, asking Allah Almighty to shower him with boundless mercy and to dwell him in vast gardens of Paradise, and to instill patience and solace in the hearts of his family: “Surely, we belong to Allah and unto Him we shall return.”