Before leaving Nigeria, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar meets the Nigerian President at the presidential palace in Abuja, and stresses:
- We are determined to confront extremism all over the world, and we will do all possible efforts in this regard.
The Nigerian President:
Your visit is an honor for the Nigerian people…and we appreciate Al-Azhar efforts to foster moderation and peace.
- Your visit to the refugee camp is a humane attitude… and we express our thanks for the care our Nigerian students receive at Al-Azhar.
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders Prof. Ahmed el-Tayeb met Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential palace in Abuja, Nigeria.
At the meeting, the Grand Imam stressed Al-Azhar determination to confront extremism all over the world, showing that the coming days will witness an increase in our efforts especially in Africa to spread awareness among people on threats of extremism and terrorism.
His Eminence added that al-Azhar Al-Sharif, in cooperation with the Muslims council of Elders, has a clear goal of fostering values of peace, fraternity and co-existence among various peoples and societies to spread peace among all humans.
On his part, the Nigerian president welcomed the Grand Imam and the accompanying delegation, showing that the visit represents a source of pride for Nigerians who always look at Al-Azhar and its Grand Imam with due respect and admiration.
At the beginning of the meeting the Nigerian President asked the Grand Imam, being the Imam of all Muslims, for advice that may help fulfill the aspirations of the Nigerian people, confirming that such visit represents support for the president to achieve social justice among Nigerians.
The Nigerian President has expressed his warm thanks to the Grand Imam for this visit, showing the Nigerian people's and his own gratitude for the Grand Imam's visit to the refugee camp, stressing that it represent a humane attitude, that has not only an impact on the refugees, but the whole Nigerian people.
The Nigerian President has expressed his appreciation to Al-Azhar and the Grand for the care that the Nigerian students receive at Al-Azhar
The meeting was attended from the Nigerian part by the Mufti of Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Saleh al-Hoseiny and a number of Nigerian Ministers and senior officials. However, the accompanying delegation of the Grand Imam consisted of: the President of Al-Azhar University Prof. Ibrahim al-Hudhud, the head of Al-Azhar Institutes Sector Prof. Muhammad Abu Zeid al-Amir, the Dean of Faculty of Usul al-Deen Prof. Abd al-Fattah al-Awwary, The Secretary-General of the Muslims Council of Elders Prof. Ali al- Noaimi and the legal adviser to the Grand Imam and a member of the Executive Board of the Muslims Council of Elders Mr. Muhammad Abd al-Salam.