Speech of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif In Inauguration of Dialogue Between the Muslim Council of Elders and the World Council of Churches
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In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Ladies and gentlemen,
Peace be Upon you,
Allow me at the outset to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for inviting me to attend this meeting held in such critical circumstances our world experiences today. The entire humanity undergoes a moral crisis, to the extent that the meanings of love and peace are viewed as an exception to the main rule of selfishness, hatred and dispute governing the world today. Frankly, I am telling the truth when I say that no single nation but longs to permanent peace and life free from violence and terrorism.
It is deeply regrettable that fingers are pointed in accusation of religions as the maker of that abhorrent terrorism.
In reality, those people, who accuse religion of creating terrorism, are unaware of two important facts in this regard; firstly: religions were meant to instill peace pillars amongst people, to eradicate oppression, and to strictly prohibit people against the unlawful shedding of human blood. As you all know, my faith “Islam” is derived from the word “peace.” As well, As-Salaam (Peace and Blessing) is one of Allah’s attributes. Furthermore, He, the Exalted, is named the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate, the All-Pitying, the Loving, and the Subtly Kind. Likewise, the Messenger of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH) defined the true Muslim as “the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe,” that is, from the harm of his tongue and hands people are safe.
As for the second fact, terrorism – which religions in general and Islam in particular, are accused of- does not differentiate between a religious person and an atheist nor does it differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims.
A quick look at the victims of terrorism ensures that the very Muslims are the most ones who pay the price of the terrorist acts as their blood is shed and their corps are severed. Terrorism does not only occur in the East where it strikes many countries such as Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya and the torn-apart Syria - where more than one thousand mosques have been demolished so far and more than 400,000 people were murdered. It also exists in Europe where Muslims’ Europeans’ blood are shed alike in terrorist attacks. Nevertheless, the great loss to Muslims is that their religion and its followers are being charged of terrorism. This accusation has been frequently leveled against them and thus led some extremist rightists to adopt a hate discourse. Accordingly, they offend religions and call for separating religion from lives of people as well as deportation of its followers from their countries, and houses of worship are being assaulted. Thus, innocent people are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea; the devil of terrorism and the deep blue sea of the Islamophobia
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is not my concern here to elaborate on in apology of religions against this oppressive accusations as you surely know that it is a complete calumny. However, I want to affirm that the primary and genuine responsibility of religions is to foster and promote peace in all corners of earth. Furthermore, this is the universal objective for which all religions were revealed. All religions, with no exception, prohibit blood shedding, seizure of property and honor violation. I have never recognized a divine religion allowing blood shedding, rights infringement and intimidation of the safe people.
In my belief peace never prevails nor can people enjoy it unless the religious institutions and their leaders cooperatively work towards building making.
Here, before you, I would like to reiterate what Al-Azhar has called for since more than seventy years in Egypt and in some European capitals that peace should be made among the religious leaders at first and then between them and the intellectuals and decision makers before it is spread among ordinary people.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In fact, statements of condemnation by people of religions against violent and terrorist operations as well as hate rhetoric are insufficient. It seems that we are working in isolated islands. Such work produces weak outcomes lacking effective tangible impact in the real world. Therefore, we need to coordinate together to carry out a joint work combating violence through a global realistic project. A project to be supervised by religious leaders through holding a number of meetings probing in depth the causes of this phenomenon and deciding upon the most important proposed solutions to effectively confront it on intellectual, scholarly, social and educational basis.
It is worth mentioning that Al-Azhar has introduced a new subject in its curricula to educate students on dangers of terrorism and extremism as immunity from falling prey to violent ideologies or joining terrorist groups lifting Islamic mottos while pursuing armed violence.
Meanwhile, it is incumbent for religions to assume their roles in educating youth on the importance of the values of mercy and compassion through holding major international youth forums. These forums should focus on clarifying religious concepts especially fostering the concept of citizenship without discrimination on the basis of religion or race. This is the basis of plurality, freedom, equality, the acceptance of the other, and showing respect to others’ beliefs. The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) had applied these concepts, before the modern world constitutions were drafted, when he (PBUH) established these concepts among the citizens of Medina upon his migration. He stated "the believers and Muslims of Quraysh and Yathrib and Jews are one nation (Ummah); and that The Jews of the Banu ‘Auf represent one community with the believers; the Jews have their religion and the Muslims have theirs)."
Thus, the Prophet (PBUH) instilled the principle of equality among Muslim and non-Muslim citizens in his early state model and recorded it in a document titled "Constitution of the Medina".
In this context, we reaffirm that the belief in the value of this principle implies salvation from countless religious and social problems in both of the Eastern and Western states.
The Islamic Shariah has always emphasized that the Muslims in the East shall consider the followers of other faiths as fellow citizens taking part in establishing and defending the nation. The Shariah maxim that goes is as follows: "They [non-Muslim fellow citizens] equally share our rights and duties."
Al-Azhar has always called on the Muslims of the West to truly consider themselves as part of their societies where they should integrate and react positively in order to achieve social peace.
Undoubtedly, in this context, the religious leaders have a role not to be ignored to break down the psychological barriers erected by propagandists of violence, isolation and hatred among the followers of different faiths. This role entails highlighting multiple facts, on top of which is that such diversity is a God-dictated norm that must never give rise to conflict, seclusion or war. Otherwise, the situation would result in a contradiction between freedom of diversity and confiscation of this right.
In conclusion, I voice my hopes that we together step up our efforts to confront all manifestations and practices that stand in the way of promoting peace, mercy and justice among people in the East and the West. I also hope that we formulate an integrated humanitarian draft agreement leads us to bring about a positive effect on the current affairs. We pray that we may have enough good deeds whereby we may escape God's reprimand on the Day of Judgment.
May Allah bestow His Peace, Mercy and Blessings upon you!
Al-Azhar Sheikhdom
26th, Duh Al-Hijja . 1437 Hijri
27th, September ,2016 Gregorian Calendr
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar