The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayeb received, on Monday, Sheikh Gamal Fouda, Imam of Al-Noor Mosque wherein the New Zealand massacre took place. The Grand Imam said that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif strongly condemns any terrorist attack on any place of worship, noting that terrorism is the product of delinquent ideology, regardless of the religion of its perpetrator. Prof. Al-Tayyeb pointed out that there are some who strive to link Islam with terrorism and to promote Islamophobia, confirming meanwhile that such linkage is not made for other religions when their followers commit terrorist acts.
Prof. Al-Tayyeb also stressed that the Imams of Mosques, especially in the West, bear the responsibility of clarifying the reality of the Islamic religion and rejecting the attempts of associating it with terrorism. He also expressed his sincere greetings to and appreciation of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, for her supportive and sympathetic stance towards Muslims in her country. His Eminence the Grand Imam also sent a message to the Muslims living in New Zealand asking them to be a constructive element in their country and to show in a decent manner how Islam establishes the values of patriotism and citizenship.
On his part, the Imam of Al-Noor Mosque expressed to His Eminence the great gratitude and appreciation that the Muslims in New Zealand hold for Al-Azhar Al-Sharif for its support for Muslims and its instant condemnation and rejection of the attack as a terrorist one, which in turn had a great influence on how the international community dealt with the incident.