In three languages, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar denounces statements attacking Islam, describing them as “irresponsible” aiming to achieve political gains.
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmed At-Tayyeb, expressed his extreme anger at the statements falsely accusing Islam, noting that “such accusations are completely far from the essence of this religion and its tolerant message”.
On October 5, 2020, in a three-language tweet, Arabic, English and French, on two social media webpages (Facebook and Twitter), His Eminence wrote, “While we, together with the sages of the West, seek to promote the values of citizenship and coexistence, irresponsible statements are being issued. Such statements use false claims against Islam as a cover aiming to achieve flimsy political gains.” His Eminence stressed that “such uncivilized behavior against religions establishes a culture of hatred and racism and generates terrorism.” Earlier, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar expressed his deep disapproval and anger at the insistence of some officials in Western countries to use the term “Islamic terrorism”, not being aware of the consequences of this abuse against Islam and the Muslims. His Eminence also expressed his anger to the flawed disregard shown towards the tolerance of the Islamic Sharia and its principles that criminalize attacks on any of the human rights, on top of which there is the right to life, freedom, brotherhood and mutual respect.
On Saturday, October 3, 2020, Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy (AIRA) issued a strongly-worded statement, denouncing the recent statements issued by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, in which he made false accusations against Islam. Such accusations are far away from the true objectives of Islam, where the Islamic Sharia actually calls for tolerance and peace among all the human beings, including the non-Muslims. The AIRA affirmed its strong rejection of such racist statements that would undermine all joint efforts among religious leaders calling to eliminate racism and bullying against religions. Such statements would also inflame the feelings of two billion Muslims around the world, the AIRA statement noted.