We are keen to involve all Islamic countries and sects in the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference hosted by Bahrain, Al-Azhar GI to Iraqi President

Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI) and MCE Chairman, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, met with President Abdul Latif Rashid, President of Iraq, to discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two parties.

His Eminence the Grand Imam stressed the depth of the relations between Al-Azhar and the Iraqi people. He pointed out his Eminence’s aspiration to visit this dear country whose roots extend deep into history and explained the contributions of Iraqi scholars throughout the ages and their efforts in serving Islamic and Arabic sciences, which remain an inexhaustible source for researchers in these sciences.

His Eminence stressed the importance of the unity of the Islamic and Arab ranks in confronting the contemporary challenges facing the nation, most prominently, the brutal aggression on Gaza and Lebanon. He stressed that there is no way to curb this occupier’s thirst for more blood shedding except by complying with the saying of the Prophet (PBUH) : "The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like that of a body: if one part of it complains, the rest of the body responds with sleeplessness and fever."

 The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar said it is important that all Islamic countries, religious authorities, scholars and specialists in Islamic sciences from various Islamic sects participate in the activities of the intra-Islamic dialog conference hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain early next year. On the other hand, the Iraqi President praised the subject of the conference and its importance in bringing together the scholars of the nation at one table. He emphasized that Iraq will be keen to have a distinguished representation that is commensurate with the importance of the conference.

President Abdul Latif Rashid expressed the appreciation of Iraq, leadership and people, for the positions of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar regarding the aggression on Gaza. He added that the statements issued by Al-Azhar in this regard are being viewed and followed by all segments of the Iraqi people who respect Al-Azhar and have great love and appreciation for its scholars.

The Iraqi President stressed that it necessary to end the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon immediately, and that there is no way to achieve this except through Arab solidarity and Islamic unity. Rashid pointed out that the Western position on these conflicts is biased towards the occupying entity, stressing that Iraq supports the rights of the Palestinian people and will remain so until they obtain their full rights, foremost of which is the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

President Rashid renewed his country's invitation to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to visit Iraq, as this visit is important to the Iraqi people and is a message of support for Iraq. The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar stressed his keenness to respond to the generous invitation as soon as possible.