His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, receives the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb.

 

Al-Azhar Grand Imam arrives in Abu Dhabi after foreign tour in Southeast Asia

 

Al-Azhar Grand Imam and UAE President Discuss the Muslim Council of Elders’ Initiative “Alliance of Religions for Development and Peace." 

 

Al-Azhar Grand Imam and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb arrived in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, after a foreign tour of Southeast Asia that included Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. His Eminence left the Indonesian capital at dawn today, Friday.

 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, received the Grand Imam upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi. His Highness, Sheikh Al Nahyan welcomed him to the UAE, wishing him continued health and wellness.

 

 

During the meeting, the two sides discussed enhancing cooperation between the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and the Muslim Council of Elders. They hoped to consolidate common human values and establish a culture of coexistence, civilized dialogue and peace among different cultures and peoples in the world, based on the principles of the "Human Fraternity Document" co-signed by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, in February 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

 

The meeting addressed the initiative of the Muslim Council of Elders and its launch to enhance the role of religious scholars and figures in supporting development and peace efforts in the world under the title “Alliance of Religions for Development and Peace” in cooperation with the Republic of Indonesia.

 

The Grand Imam and the UAE President exchanged views on a number of issues of common interest.

 

During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised the valuable efforts made by the Grand Imam in spreading the message of tolerance and human coexistence and promoting the culture of respecting others, in addition to Al-Azhar's pivotal role in introducing the true image of Islam and preserving the tolerant message of peace, harmony and goodness.

 

 

The Grand Imam, for his part, praised the initiatives of His Highness and his charitable efforts in support of peace and development at the regional and global levels; in addition to His Highness’s humanitarian approach that targets building human beings, and empowering them in various fields.

 

His Eminence appreciated UAE interest in the issues of the Islamic nation, as an extension of its historical positions in supporting its brotherly countries, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause and supporting the brotherly Palestinian people at various levels.

 

His Eminence referred to the efforts of Al-Azhar and the MCE in promoting the values of peace, coexistence and human fraternity, in addition to confronting hate speech and extremism, and activating the role of religious scholars and elders in confronting contemporary human challenges.

 

 

The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor of Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, His Excellency Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, and His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdel Salam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders.