Grand Imam announces the launch of Al-Azhar global multilingual platform about the Prophet of Islam, Mercy, and Humaneness
Today, Wednesday, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb announces the launch of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif global multilingual platform about the Prophet of Mercy and the Messenger of Humaneness (pbuh). During his speech at the annual celebration of the Prophet’s birth anniversary, in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, HE the Grand Imam stressed that this idea, which represents an utmost honor, was inspired by this noble occasion, calling on the international community to adopt a global legislation criminalizing anti-Muslim hostility and discrimination. His Eminence also called on the Muslim citizens in Western countries to integrate positively and consciously into their societies, while preserving their religious and cultural identities. He advised them not to be tempted into the far-right provocations or the polarization of political Islam groups, and to always be keen on peaceful, legal, and rational ways of resisting hate speech and obtaining their legitimate rights. In this approach, they will be following the moral example of their noble Prophet (pbuh). The Grand Imam also pointed out that the Muslim world and its religious institutions, with Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif at the top of them, have hastened to condemn the despicable and terrorist act of murdering a French teacher in Paris, which is a painful and unfortunate accident. Yet, in our today’s world, offending Islam and the Muslims has become a tool for mobilizing votes and trading in electoral markets. The offensive cartoons of our great Prophet (pbuh promoted by some newspapers and journals, and even by some politicians, are examples to this attitude. The Grand Imam asserts that such offense to Islam and the Muslims is a frivolous and irresponsible disregard for moral and traditional responsibilities and international customs. It is an open hostility to this pristine religion, and to its Prophet (pbuh) whom Allah sent as mercy to the worlds. The Grand Imam also expressed Al-Azhar’s, and all Muslim countries’, strict rejection of these obscenities that do not only offend the Muslims and the Prophet of Islam (pbuh), but rather offend those who are ignorant of the greatness of this noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). HE the Grand Imam wondered how the fire of sedition, hatred and abuse is kindled in countries that have long claimed to be incubators of culture and civilization, enlightenment, science, and modernity, and yet still suffer manifest confusion! While they hold the torch of freedom and human rights with one hand, we see them holding the torch of hate and grudges with the other! The Grand Imam then indicated that our noble Prophet (pbuh), whose birth anniversary is now being celebrated, offered humanity much benefit that delivered peoples and nations, and redressed the twists and turns of civilizations. Hence, we – the believers in him - should renew the feelings of love and loyalty to him and defend him with our lives, property and whatever precious things we may have.