Lebanon is dear to every Arab and Muslim, and we pray to Allah to grant it security and safety, the Grand Imam 

 

We appreciate your noble stance in facilitating the affairs of Lebanese students during these difficult times, the Lebanese President to the Grand Imam

 

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, received today at Al-Azhar His Excellency President Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and address the challenges facing the region.

 

His Eminence the Grand Imam welcomed the Lebanese President and his accompanying delegation, emphasizing that “Lebanon has a special place in the heart of every Arab and every Muslim. We constantly follow the news about Lebanon, and we appreciate your visit despite the difficult circumstances. We pray to God to grant you success and help you unite the Lebanese people, liberate Lebanese lands, and preserve its unity.” He also noted that Lebanon is distinguished by its diversity and its embrace of various sects and their cohesion.

 

The Lebanese President, for his part, expressed his happiness at this first visit to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and his appreciation for the positions of the Grand Imam, stating: “We follow your vision and your positions in serving humanity and combating extremism. The world today is in dire need of wise men like you. We thank you for your noble stance in facilitating the affairs of Lebanese students who went through difficult circumstances, yet they were welcomed by Al-Azhar to complete their university studies. This is not an unusual stance on the part of Al-Azhar, which has always been a beacon of learning opening its doors to all Lebanese people.”

 

The Lebanese President extended an official invitation to His Eminence the Grand Imam to visit Lebanon and reopen Al-Azhar Institute, which was shut down due to the difficult circumstances facing Lebanon. The Grand Imam welcomed the generous invitation, affirming his intention to respond to it at the earliest possible opportunity. He also expressed Al-Azhar's readiness to reopen Al-Azhar Institute in Beirut and provide it with envoys with the highest levels of knowledge and culture, in addition to the necessary authentic books and curricula of Al-Azhar.

 

The meeting also touched on the importance of the historic “Human Fraternity Document,” signed by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis, the practical steps taken by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to lead the institution in opening up to religious and cultural institutions around the world, and the series of important documents issued by Al-Azhar, which played a major role in establishing “full citizenship” and rejecting the term “minorities.”