Al-Azhar Grand Imam’s visit to Indonesian Parliament is support for Indonesian women, Indonesian Parliament Speaker

We rely on Al-Azhar to maintain moderation and pluralism in our country, Indonesian Parliament Speaker

Indonesia is a pioneering model of pluralism, religious tolerance and social peace, the Grand Imam 

Women’s exclusion and marginalization from participating in social life is due to mixing social traditions with Islamic rulings, the Grand Imam

The Speaker of the House of Representatives in Indonesia, Mrs. Puan Maharani, received His Eminence the Grand Imam (GI) of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, in the historical building of Indonesian Parliament  which was established by Indonesia's first President, Ahmad Sukarno, in 1965.

Maharani expressed her great happiness for the Grand Imam’s visit to Indonesia, which honored the Indonesian Parliament. She noted that this visit carries a message from His Eminence to support Indonesian women and refute the false fatwas about empowering women and their assumption of leadership positions, and the fallacy that Islam is an anti-women religion. She added, "As the first woman to assume the presidency of the House of Representatives of the largest Islamic country, Indonesia, I thank you for your permanent positions that confirm Islam's respect for women, preservation of their status, and elevating them as equal partners to men in all aspects of life.”

The Speaker of the Parliament affirmed the Indonesian people’s trust in Al-Azhar Al-Sharif as a beacon of knowledge and a moderate religious authority. She asserted that Al-Azhar positions against the aggression on Gaza translated the extreme bitterness felt by Indonesians. The Indonesian people hope that Al-Azhar will continue its role in raising awareness of the suffering of the people of Gaza until Allah wills that this unjust aggression be stopped. She stressed that Indonesia and Al-Azhar have a common orientation that seeks to enhance religious and moral values, confront Islamophobia, and create global Islamic entities capable of raising awareness of Muslim issues and defending them on a global level.

Maharani emphasized that her country has adopted the approach of pluralism, acceptance of others, and providing the appropriate environment for coexistence and mutual respect, based on the belief that difference is a gift from Allah Almighty that He wanted for this universe. She explained that Indonesia rely on Al-Azhar Al-Sharif to preserve Islamic moderation in the country, and its graduates and students constitue a soft power that preserves the cohesive social structure in the country, and therefore it invests in Indonesians studying at Al-Azhar and has a real desire to double their numbers.

The Grand Imam expressed his happiness for visiting the Indonesian Parliament, pointing to the strength of Egyptian-Indonesian relations, as Egypt was the first country to support and recognize Indonesia’s independence in 1946. He explained that Al-Azhar was one of the most important factors in strengthening Egyptian-Indonesian relations, to the point that there are now more than 14,000 Indonesian students studying at Al-Azhar institutes and faculties, in addition to 200 scholarships presented to the Indonesian students, which Al-Azhar has decided to increase in appreciation of the Indonesian people.

The Grand Imam stressed his appreciation for the development and progress witnessed by Indonesia, while preserving religious and moral values, pointing out that Indonesia represents a pioneering model of pluralism, religious tolerance, and social peace shared by all, within the framework of unity and maintaining the stability of the country. He stressed that the moderation of Islam is the secret of its survival and distinction, and is what made it far removed from extremism, excess, and negligence.

His Eminence stressed that the history of women’s exclusion and marginalization from participating in social life is a long one that is due to mixing social traditions with Islamic rulings. The result was a biased jurisprudence that forced women to stand back and prevented them from advancing for fear of the wrong social view. He pointed out that besides the fact that women helped build Muslim society side by side with men, proper education can free women from the fears and concerns that have plagued them for a long time.