Prior to his departure from Abu Dhabi to Cairo, returning from an official tour of Southeast Asia, His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where he was received by His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.

 

His Eminence went to the tomb of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, and asked Allah to grant him His mercy and forgiveness, recalling his legacy and wise approach that contributed to strengthening the culture of tolerance, coexistence, peace and love of goodness for all.

 

The Grand Imam stressed that Sheikh Zayed, may Allah bless his soul, was a unique model of a wise leader who was distinguished by a vision that made his country, the UAE, a model to be emulated in development, progress, and preservation of religion and values. He also left a rich legacy in supporting charitable and humanitarian work, and contributed greatly through his behavior and positions to promoting peace and fraternity.

 

The Grand Imam and MCE Chairman praised the message of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which calls for coexistence, tolerance and openness to others, and the important role played by the Grand Mosque Center in introducing the tolerant Islamic culture and enhancing civilized communication by receiving visitors from different places, cultures and religions.

 

During the visit, His Eminence was accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al-Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, and His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdel Salam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders.