Our division and fragmentation have emboldened others against us, to the point that they seek the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land to build a tourist resort.

  

The time has come for true Arab and Islamic solidarity.

  

I deeply appreciate this exceptional "scene" - one our eyes are not accustomed to - where different sects of the nation, both Sunni and Shiite, have come together.

  

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar announces that Egypt will host the second edition of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference.  

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar prays to Allah that the Arab leaders may succeed in their upcoming summit. 

Professor Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, stated that history tells us our Islamic nation has gained nothing from division, fragmentation, interference in each other’s internal affairs, territorial disputes, or the exploitation of sectarian, ethnic, and doctrinal differences to sow discord. Attempts to alter established religious doctrines through coercion or incentives have only led to further division, conflict, and struggle, which ultimately weakened the nation and emboldened others against us. As a result, we  

now witness demands to uproot and displace an entire people to build a tourist resort on their land, atop the remains of martyrs - men, women, and children - from our grieving brethren in Gaza. Surely, we all agree that the time has come for true Arab and Islamic solidarity, free from these destructive divisions, if we truly seek prosperity for our countries and the future of our nation.

During his speech at the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, held at Al-Sakhir Royal Palace in the presence of the King of Bahrain, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar prayed for the success of Arab leaders in their upcoming summits in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, asking Allah to unite their ranks and bring them together in solidarity.  

The Grand Imam also expressed gratitude to Muslim scholars, jurists, and thinkers for responding to the invitation of Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders to discuss the pressing challenges imposed by a painful reality affecting everyone. He commended this exceptional gathering - one rarely witnessed - where scholars from across the Muslim world, including Sunnis, Imami and Zaydi Shiites, and Ibadis, stood together alongside the broader Muslim community. The Grand Imam referenced the words of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in defining who is considered a Muslim, saying: “Whoever prays as we do, faces our Qibla, and eats from our slaughtered animals is a Muslim under the covenant of Allah and His Messenger. Do not betray Allah in His covenant.”

Out of commitment to continuing this journey and renewing the intention to serve Islam, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar announced that the next stop for the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference will be hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt at Al-Azhar. He prayed to Almighty Allah for success in working for the good of the Muslim nation and for strengthening unity, closeness, progress, and prosperity.  

The Grand Imam expressed his gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, for supporting this sincere call for dialogue among brothers to unify the word, strengthen Islamic brotherhood in the face of shared challenges, and provide the necessary means for its success and global outreach. He prayed for continued security, stability, and peace for Bahrain and all Muslim nations.