Our efforts to build global peace with the West were met with “double standards” in dealing with issues of the East, the Grand Imam to EC President

It seems that the new international relations are based on supporting those who own weapons and money and shunning the values of justice, religious teachings and ethics, the Grand Imam to EC President

Many Western officials cannot imagine the reality of what is happening in Gaza, and they issue statements characterized by unacceptable balancing, the Grand Imam to EC President

You represent the undisputed Islamic authority worldwide, EC President to the Grand Imam

The Human Fraternity Document is a message of hope and inspiration for people despite the harsh conditions the world is going through, EC President

We appreciate the role of religious leaders in mediating for an immediate end to wars and conflicts, EC President

Europe needs Al-Azhar’s moderate approach to training European imams, EC President

Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI) and MCE Chairman, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, 

received Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, at his residence in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. His Eminence stressed that this meeting is an opportunity to listen to mutual concerns, pains and human tragedies that have exceeded all limits of reason and logic, and we ask Allah to hasten their end.

His Eminence the Grand Imam said that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has taken great steps towards opening up to others and building global peace. These efforts have resulted in several important initiatives aimed at placing brotherhood and mutual understanding at the top of the priorities of relations between the East and the West, even before economic relations that are based on achieving material interests and gains. Perhaps the most prominent of these efforts, which aimed to end immoral and inhumane conflicts, which was not easy for Al-Azhar and the churches in the West, is the historic Human Fraternity Document signed by Al-Azhar and the Vatican. This document gained its due fame and spread until the United Nations adopted the anniversary of its signing on February 4th as the World Day of Human Fraternity. He pointed out that we thought that these efforts were capable and sufficient to stop the lies that are spread about Islam in the West and the other allegations that are disguised as facts to humanize the conflict with others and create justifications for it.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar expressed his regret that the results were extremely disappointing and completely contrary to expectations, and that “double standards” are still the approach followed in dealing with the issues of the East, as if the new global balances and the laws governing international relations are made to support those who possess excessive power, weapons and economy, to bully the weak, and to be completely devoid of the philosophy and ethics of religion. His Eminence stressed that what we have seen in Gaza for more than 500 days is the complete opposite of what has been approved by religions, values, and human and moral covenants.

The Grand Imam pointed out that there was hope that major international entities, such as the European Union, the UN Security Council and the United Nations, would play an important role in this conflict, but reality has proven that there is a major contradiction between statements and the actions that follow them. While some European countries are issuing statements condemning the violations committed by the occupier in Gaza, other countries are still involved in exporting weapons to the occupier, providing unlimited support to this entity, and participating in killing innocent people in Gaza. They have turned a blind eye to the bloodshed that is taking place before their eyes, which is contrary to the European position towards the aggression on Gaza. It is also contrary to the position of the peoples who have taken to the streets in major squares in European capitals and in American universities, demanding an end to the killing of innocent women, children and elderly people, whose number has exceeded 40,000 martyrs.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar stated, “Allah is just, and based on my belief in the Almighty’s justice, I can say that whoever remains silent about these crimes and massacres today will be afflicted with some of them some day.” His Eminence noted that the failure to support the Palestinians has made many believe that there is no solution to this chaos that is leading the world and that there is no force that can stand in the face of this occupier and deter it from more blood shedding, and that the only way to establish peace today is to deter the aggressor by force. He stressed that portraying October 7 as the beginning of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and that what followed was a reaction, as well as portraying what is happening in Gaza as an equal war between two armies, is a clear injustice to the cause and to the Palestinian people. He added that what is happening in Gaza is an attack by an army armed with the most powerful heavy weaponry that are internationally and morally prohibited, on a defenseless people who do not have their daily sustenance, and the goal of all this has become public and is no longer a secret, which is to kill innocent people in order to seize the land.

The Grand Imam stressed that many Western officials cannot imagine the reality of what is happening in Gaza, and therefore their speeches are characterized by what they try to call "objectivity and neutrality." They issue appeals and statements that are mostly balanced in nature to avoid supporting one party over another. He called on everyone to look at the requests presented to His Eminence on a weekly basis by Palestinian female students fleeing the aggression to continue their studies at Al-Azhar University, and how most, if not all, of them do not know the whereabouts of their family members, and whether they have gone missing or no longer alive. He called on Western officials to create a new discourse that is commensurate with the extent of the chaos that tamper with humanity and the bitter reality in Gaza. His Eminence stressed the necessity for everyone to be aware that this aggression has caused the creation of a thick wall of hatred between the East and the West that will take decades to demolish and replace with bridges of relations based on the principles of respect and equality among all.

Mr. Charles Michel stressed his appreciation for the great efforts made by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to spread brotherhood and tolerance. He stressed that the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar represents a moderate religious authority around the world, and no one can deny that, and that the world is in dire need of Al-Azhar’s moderate and influential voice in spreading the culture of rapprochement and coexistence. He pointed out his agreement with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar’s talk about the danger of “double standards” in dealing with conflicts occurring around the world, and the necessity of setting specific assessments and calling them by their names. He that just as what is happening in Ukraine is described as a “war crime,” what is happening in Gaza must also be called by its name, which is also a “war crime.”

His Excellency stressed that the Human Fraternity Document is a message of hope and inspiration to the nations despite the harsh conditions the world is going through. He noted that he was keen to announce the European Union's support for it on various international occasions and forums, stressing the need for unity and solidarity in order to stop discrimination and hatred based on religion such as Islamophobia. He pointed out that the decision of some European countries to export their weapons to Israel is their own decision, but the European Union issued a decision demanding a ban on arms exports until it stops its violations of international law.

Mr. Michel stressed his appreciation for the role of religious leaders in creating opportunities for meeting and getting to know each other between different cultures, and mediating for an immediate end to wars and conflicts. He pointed out that Europe needs Al-Azhar’s support in training European imams, according to its moderate, centrist approach that confronts extremist thought, spreads the culture of acceptance of others and coexistence, and focuses on common values.