Our embassies abroad are dedicated to serving Al-Azhar and spreading its message, Egyptian FM to the Grand Imam

 

Your Eminence’s foreign tours reflect the honorable image of Al-Azhar’s global position, Egyptian FM to the Grand Imam

 

 

Al-Azhar represents tolerance and moderation of Islam, Egyptian FM.

 

 

Al-Azhar Grand Imam expresses appreciation for Egyptian Foreign Ministry's efforts during his tour of Southeast Asia.

 

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, received Minister Badr Abdelatty, the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, who congratulated His Eminence on the success of his foreign tour to Southeast Asia.

 

The Egyptian Foreign Minister expressed his sincere congratulations to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for the distinguished successes achieved by his visit to Southeast Asian countries and the UAE. He pointed out the importance of the Grand Imam’s foreign tours, which reflect the distinguished and honorable status of Al-Azhar and its Grand Imam globally, which Egyptians are proud of. He stressed the need to intensify these visits, as they represent a soft power for the Egyptian state, stating: “Al-Azhar is the true representative of the comprehensive Egyptian powers abroad, and the whole world knows the history of Al-Azhar and appreciates its positions that are characterized by moderation, tolerance, and coexistence, and being far from special agendas and ideologies. Therefore, it is greatly appreciated and welcomed by various countries, as Al-Azhar represents tolerance and moderation of Islam.”

 

Abdelatty stressed the Ministry's endeavor to highlight Al-Azhar's voice globally on various issues that represent a major challenge, especially in Western societies, such as interfaith dialogue, the role of women in society, and how to combat extremism and radicalism, and the Ministry's reliance on reports issued by Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism, to clarify Egypt's role in these important areas. He pointed out the importance of the "Human Fraternity document" co-signed by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and His Holiness Pope Francis in spreading the values of coexistence and mutual respect, stressing that Egypt's embassies abroad are dedicated to serving Al-Azhar and clarifying its message to the whole world.

 

The Grand Imam welcomed Minister Abdelatty to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, congratulating him on assuming the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Egypt. He expressed his appreciation for the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Al-Azhar and the Ministry, and the great efforts made by the Ministry during his visit to Southeast Asia, which is not new to Egyptian diplomacy that duly appreciates Al-Azhar. His Eminence added that he still remembers the important visit organized by the Egyptian Minister when he was still Egypt’s Ambassador to Germany, and how this visit had an impact in correcting misconceptions about Islam, hoping for more coordination and cooperation between Al-Azhar and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

 

His Eminence referred to the “Introducing Islam” project that Al-Azhar is currently designing, noting that some of its points aim to create an image among diplomats from different countries of the world about the content of Islam, its moderation and its tolerant message. This helps contribute to confronting the phenomenon of Islamophobia and growing hostility towards Muslims, and disseminating its components and principles that call for tolerance, coexistence and dialogue.