Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI) and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, received a delegation from the UAE General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, headed by its chairman, Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Derai, in his office at Al-Azhar headquarters.

 

His Eminence the Grand Imam stressed Al-Azhar's keenness to enhance cooperation with religious bodies in the United Arab Emirates, praising the brotherly relationship that unites him with his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the humanitarian efforts led by His Highness and provided by the UAE in various places around the world.

 

Al-Azhar Grand Imam welcomed Dr. Omar Al Derai, pointing out the need for muftis and religious scholars to pay attention to women’s issues and to be careful not to allow customs and traditions that have undermined women’s rights to prevail over texts and correct Islamic rulings. He pointed out the fact that these rulings and Islamic texts were revealed to demolish the traditions that have deprived women of many of the rights established by Islam. He stressed that Islam has liberated women from the restrictions of Jahiliyya (pre-Islamic) era and enabled them to enjoy rights that they would not have enjoyed had this religion not been revealed. He explained that Islam has given women an independent financial status, made women equal to men, honored women in many other ways, and granted them their rights that the Prophet (PBUH) implemented.

 

Dr. Omar Al Derai, for his part, said he, as well as the accompanying delegation, was honored by visiting the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He also expressed the UAE’s appreciation for the Grand Imam’s great and global efforts to spread Islamic knowledge and to consolidate the culture of dialogue and human brotherhood. He noted that the UAE Council For Fatwa relies on Al-Azhar’s fatwas and opinions on various issues, as an authentic reference, given the great trust that Al-Azhar enjoys in the hearts of Emiratis and all Muslims alike.