The largest Islamic organization in the world organizes a massive reception for the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in the presence of religious leaders and symbols in Indonesia.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar: Difference is a divine way, and we must all adopt a culture of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence

The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) organization in Indonesia, the world’s largest Islamic organization with more than 120 million followers, held a grand reception for His Eminence the Grand Imam (GI) of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. Leaders and symbols of various religions in Indonesia, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism attended this event, in addition to thousands of the organization’s leaders, symbols, young men and women, as well as hundreds of thousands who followed the events of the ceremony via live broadcast.

In his speech during the ceremony, which was held under the title "Dialogue and Harmony between Religions and Civilizations," the Grand Imam said that religions are a message of peace to humanity, and even to animals, plants, and nature as a whole. He added that Islam does not permit Muslims to fight except in one case, which is to repel aggression on oneself or one's homeland. He stressed that it has never happened that Muslims fought others to force them to convert to Islam, because Islam does not view non-Muslims from a hostile or suspicious perspective, but rather from a perspective of human affection and brotherhood. There are clear verses in the Qur'an that state that the relationship of Muslims with others who are peaceful to them - regardless of their religions or sects - is one of affection, righteousness, and fairness.

His Eminence added that it goes without saying that Islam is a of dialogue, integration of civilizations, mixing of cultures, and respect for others. These facts are known by those who embrace it or not. He explained that history has witnessed that the Islamic civilization was and still is a civilization of human brotherhood and global religious fellowship, and that it has never been a source of misery for humanity. It has never been fed up with the brotherhood of other religions, and it has never been known to have taken a position of open or hidden hostility towards them, or to have transgressed - in its armed conflicts with non-Muslims - justice or the laws of self-defense and defending the homeland.

The Grand Imam stressed that Easterners should seek closer and more harmonious ties to communicate with the West, and to stop considering Western civilization as an all-evil civilization and one that deviates from the values of religions and virtue. They should replace this view with another more optimistic view, in which Western civilization appears as a human civilization. Even if it has some faults and shortcomings, it is undoubtedly a civilization that saved humanity and transferred it to scientific and technical horizons that it would not have reached throughout its ancient history, had it not been for Western scholars’ dedication to the sources of literary, experimental and artistic knowledge. However, the East has what the West can use to fill its spiritual and religious voids, and to push away factors of dissipation and disintegration from its civilization, while the West has much to offer the East to rescue it from scientific, technical and industrial backwardness.

His Eminence concluded: “Perhaps the step that my brother Pope Francis and I took together, perhaps for the first time in the history of Islamic-Christian relations, that was crowned with the signing of the Human Fraternity Document, which the world knows today, and which the United Nations adopted on its declaration of February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity will contribute to melting the accumulated misunderstanding, tension and estrangement between followers of religions in the East as well as in the West, especially in times of wars and crises." His Eminence noted that such meetings will bear their desired fruits - God willing - if intentions are sincere. He asked: "Is there any hope that the West will reduce its extremism and arrogance, and the East will be relieved of its concerns and bad suspicions, so that each of them will meet the other halfway in a meeting of acquaintance and affection, an exchange of experiences and benefits, and true cooperation for the sake of lasting peace and a secure civilization?”

Religious leaders and figures, for their part, warmly welcomed His Eminence, stressing that His Eminence is a symbol of peace and tolerance, and that they are always inspired by his efforts to spread the values of truth, goodness, justice and human brotherhood, the spirit of peace, coexistence and the values of citizenship. Meanwhile, the attendees from the Nahdlatul Ulama organization expressed their love and appreciation for His Eminence, indicating that they are always guided by the light of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and its loyal scholars who spread enlightened thought around the world.

The Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, welcomed the third visit of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to Indonesia, in response to the invitation of the Indonesian President. He stressed that this visit is of great importance due to the great love and appreciation that His Eminence enjoys in the hearts of Indonesians, whose scholars were raised by the scholars of Al-Azhar and guided by the light of its knowledge and the blessings of its loyal teachers.

The Chairman of the Executive Council of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Organization, Yahya Cholil Staquf, said he was happy that the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar accepted the invitation to attend the celebration held by the association on the occasion of his visit to Indonesia. He pointed out that more than 300 university presidents affiliated with the association, in addition to thousands of members, were keen to attend to see the Grand Imam, and that hundreds of thousands follow his Eminence through the association’s digital platforms, and that this indicates their love for his personality.

The leader of the Buddhist order in Indonesia, Bhante Paññavaro, delivered a speech in which he stressed his gratitude for receiving the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, a figure known worldwide for his efforts in establishing dialogue and pluralism, adding, “As a representative of the Buddhists in Indonesia, I express the gratitude of all Indonesians, not just Muslims, to this dear visit.” He noted that the Buddhist community in Indonesia is following the positions and words of the Grand Imam that call for understanding and coexistence, to advance the wheel of dialogue and rapprochement between followers of different religions and cultures.

President of Communion of Churches in Indonesia, Reverend Gomar Gultom, also delivered a speech welcoming the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, saying, “On behalf of the Christian churches in Indonesia, we express our gratitude and pleasure to be here today to welcome Your Eminence to our country. Our meeting today is an important step towards moving forward in holding a number of joint meetings for religious leaders in our country. We are fortunate to be among this large Islamic bloc, which represents the largest Islamic country in the world.” He stressed Indonesia’s efforts to preserve pluralism, diversity, harmony and concord among all segments of society.

The leader of the Hindu community in Indonesia, Dr. Made Mangku Pastika, said that the visit of the Grand Imam came with the spirit of peace, at a time when the world lacks it in light of the widespread conflicts and wars. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of His Eminence to spread brotherhood, coexistence and mutual respect, and his happiness about this meeting, which is organized by the Nahdlatul Ulama organization to receive His Eminence, stressing that “Nahdlatul Ulama” is one of the pillars of Indonesian society in maintaining its security and stability and preserving the good relationship between followers of different religions.

Chairman of the Supreme Council of Confucian Religion in Indonesia, Mr. Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo, said: “We welcome His Eminence the Grand Imam to our country. It is truly a visit of peace and friendship for all. We pray to God to grant His Eminence the ability to complete his efforts in establishing peace and love throughout the world to become more harmonious and coherent, and a fertile environment that contains everyone and guarantees their rights and duties.”

Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, said that the Grand Imam is a preacher of peace, and it is a great honor to meet His Eminence in Indonesia. The archbishop added that he has long wished for this meeting, and this desire increased after His Eminence co-signed the Human Fraternity Document in 2019 with His Holiness Pope Francis of the Vatican, which was circulated in various churches in Indonesia. He said that it also inspired a book on coexistence authored by several religious leaders in Indonesia. He hoped that His Eminence would complete his efforts to advance rapprochement between followers of different cultures and religions.

At the end of the ceremony, the Chairman of the Executive Council of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Yahya Cholil Staquf, presented the Nahdlatul Ulama Shield to the Grand Imam, expressing the Indonesian people’s love for His Eminence and their happiness with this noble visit.

The celebration was attended by General Leader of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), K.H. Miftachul Achyar, the Chairman of the NU Executive Council, Yahya Cholil Staquf, His Excellency the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, President of Communion of Churches in Indonesia, Reverend Gomar Gultom, the Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, Leader of the Indonesian Hindu Nation, Dr. Made Mangku Pastika, Supreme Religious Leader of the Indonesian Buddhist Nation, Bhante Paññavaro, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Confucian Religion in Indonesia, Mr. Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo, and a large number of religious, intellectual and cultural figures in Indonesia.