The year 2024 witnessed a series of foreign visits by His Eminence Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam, which contributed to strengthening Al-Azhar’s position as one of the most prominent religious and intellectual institutions on the Arab and international levels. These visits came within the framework of promoting dialogue between cultures and consolidating the values of tolerance and peace, in addition to shedding light on common humanitarian challenges, such as the climate change crisis. They also highlighted Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s commitment to supporting just Arab causes, most notably the Palestinian cause, considering the escalation of brutal crimes committed by the Zionist occupation in the Gaza Strip, and the continued increasing violations against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples.

The Grand Imam visited several countries, including: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the UAE, and Azerbaijan, where he met with kings, presidents, and political and religious leaders, and discussed Islamic and international issues. These meetings focused on Al-Azhar’s role in spreading moderate thought and combating extremism, in addition to calling for adopting an approach of cooperation to address environmental and humanitarian issues.

Visits Full of Civilizational Messages

Malaysia: July 1-4, 2024

His Eminence Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif began his foreign tours with a visit to Malaysia in response to an official invitation from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The Grand Imam was warmly received by King Ibrahim bin Sultan Iskandar, after he postponed his scheduled visit to the state of Johor specifically to meet with His Eminence. During the meeting, the King of Malaysia expressed his great appreciation for the role of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in combating extremism and spreading the values of moderation, stressing his constant aspiration to enhance cooperation with this venerable institution. As part of the visit, the Grand Imam delivered a distinguished lecture at the International Islamic University, in which he discussed ways to confront the contemporary challenges facing the Islamic world. His Eminence stressed the importance of moderate religious education as a fundamental pillar for building stable and secure societies.

The visit also witnessed a notable event, as the Grand Imam, accompanied by Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, inaugurated a council dedicated to scholars and young researchers in Malaysia. This council is an ideal platform for discussion on the moderation and tolerance of Islam, and its role in promoting brotherhood and harmony within societies.

Thailand (July 5-8, 2024):

The visit of His Eminence Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI), to the Kingdom of Thailand received a warm official and public welcome that reflects his status as a global symbol of Islam. His Eminence met with King Vajiralongkorn and his wife, where they had a deep conversation about the importance of promoting the values of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in societies characterized by multiculturalism. The King expressed his great appreciation for Al-Azhar's role in promoting moderation and reinforcing human values, emphasizing the importance of cooperation to strengthen this global message.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar also met with the Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Al-Azhar and Thailand in the fields of religious education and training.

 The discussion included proposals to expand the scope of scholarships for Thai students at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, as well as to provide training programs for imams and preachers in Thailand, with the aim of establishing a moderate Islamic discourse and confronting extremist ideas. During the visit, His Eminence also highlighted the Palestinian cause, denouncing the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the criminal practices that have caused the death of thousands of civilians, and stressing the need for Islamic countries to unite to support the Palestinian people in confronting the occupation.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif also paid a historic visit to the Thai Parliament. Mr. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand welcomed the Grand Imam and stressed that His Eminence the Grand Imam’s visit to the Thai Parliament is 

the first time ever Al-Azhar Grand Imam has visited the Thai Parliament, which is something that the Thais will remember and will remain engraved in the memory of the Thai parliament.

The Speaker of the Thai Parliament expressed his appreciation to His Eminence and to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif for their kind hospitality of Thai students studying in various colleges and institutes affiliated with Al-Azhar. There are more than 3,000 male and female Thai students at Al-Azhar, which presents 160 annual scholarships to Thai Muslims. He also expressed his gratitude that Al-Azhar hosts delegations of Thai imams for training at the Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. He pointed out that most - if not all - Al-Azhar graduates occupy prestigious positions in various ministries and agencies in Thailand, as they are now the most prominent scholars and imams of Thailand, including judges, teachers and doctors.

During the meeting, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar decided to increase the number of Al-Azhar envoys to Thailand, in response to the request of Mr. Wan Noor, so that the number would become 21 envoys instead of 15. His eminence also decided to intensify training courses for Thai imams at Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams and Preachers, and to design a special program prepared by senior Al-Azhar scholars and professors in a manner that suits the nature of Thai society.

Indonesia (July 8-11, 2024):

His Eminence Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif visited Indonesia during the period from July 8 to 11, 2024, as part of his tour, which witnessed a busy schedule of events and meetings that emphasized the pivotal role of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in promoting moderation and Islamic cooperation.

The visit began with a grand official reception at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in the capital, Jakarta, where the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar was received by several prominent government and religious officials. He was also received with overwhelming popular enthusiasm, as thousands of members of major Islamic associations such as the Nahdlatul Ulama and the Muhammadiyah organizations gathered to greet His Eminence in a symbolic gesture full of appreciation, and a tradition that reflects the modesty and deep respect of His Eminence.

During the visit, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Al-Azhar and Indonesia in the field of education, and expand scholarship programs for Indonesian students at Al-Azhar. In addition, academic cooperation protocols with Al-Azhar University have been signed. His Eminence also delivered lectures on the role of education in spreading moderation and confronting extremist ideas, praising the efforts of Indonesian religious institutions in consolidating a moderate Islamic identity.

His Eminence also met with the Minister of Defense and President-elect Prabowo Subianto. The meeting discussed shared issues, including the challenges facing the Islamic nation, such as Islamophobia, and the need for cooperation to confront extremism, while emphasizing the pioneering role of Al-Azhar in spreading moderation. During the visit, His Eminence also affirmed his steadfast support for the Palestinian cause, stressing his rejection of the crimes committed by the Zionist occupation in Gaza, and calling on the international community to stop the aggression and support the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle.

UAE (September 15-17, 2024):

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in spreading the values of tolerance and establishing a culture of coexistence, civilized dialogue and peace among different cultures and peoples in the world. Furthermore, they discussed ways to confront hate speech and extremism and to activate the role of religious scholars and sages in confronting contemporary human challenges.

During the meeting, His Highness praised the recognized efforts made by the Grand Imam in spreading the message of tolerance and human coexistence and promoting the culture of respect for others. His Highness also commended Al-Azhar’s pivotal role in introducing the true image of Islam and preserving its tolerant message that calls for goodness, peace and harmony.

Azerbaijan (November 11, 2024):

In November 2024, His Eminence Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, accepted an official invitation from President Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, to participate in the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). The visit carried a clear message confirming Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s commitment to environmental and humanitarian issues that represent challenges common to the entire world. His Eminence called for reinforcing international efforts to combat climate change and stressed the importance of the role of religious leaders in raising environmental awareness. He also discussed with Aliyev strengthening bilateral cooperation and supporting humanitarian issues, most notably the Palestinian cause and the aggression carried out by the Zionist entity against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. 

On the sidelines of the visit, His Eminence met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, during his participation in COP29. During the meeting, the Kazakh President expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to the Faith Leaders' Summit, which is held in Kazakhstan annually, stressing Al-Azhar’s support that contributed to the success of this conference and the achievement of its desired goal.

His Eminence also met with Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, at his residence in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, on the sidelines of his participation in COP29. The meeting discussed the contemporary humanitarian situation, especially the aggression launched by the occupying Zionist entity on the Gaza Strip. His Eminence stressed that “This meeting is an opportunity to listen to mutual concerns, pains and humanitarian tragedies that have exceeded all limits of reason and logic.” He pointed out that many Western officials cannot imagine the reality of what is happening in Gaza, and they issue calls that are characterized by a balance that is unacceptable to us.