The Grand Imam Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Sheikh Al-Azhar received H.R.H. Prince El-Hassan bin Talal, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Royals Institute for Inter-Faith Studies in Jordan.
At the beginning of the meeting, his eminence the Grand Imam welcomed H.R.H. Prince El-Hassan at Al-Azhar, emphasizing that the Jordanian-Egyptian relations have been and will continue to be historic and strategic relations, on both official and popular levels, especially the strong ties between Al-Azhar and the Jordanian religious institutions which witness a great development in fields of education, culture and da’wa.
His eminence added that H.R.H. Prince El-Hassan bin Talal ‘s visit and his accompanying delegation, as well as the important lecture given by H.R.H. at the historic Imam Abdo Hall, come as part of Al-Azhar’s invitation to prominent figures of cultural impact and influence in the Arab and Muslim nation, to place emphasis on promoting dialogue and actual practice of it, through the attendance of youth, namely the youth of Al-Azhar. The lecture was attended by more than three thousand students from more than a hundred and two nations, who were impacted by this lecture.
On his part, H.R.H. Prince El-Hassan bin Talal expressed his appreciation for Al-Azhar and its message of moderation. Prince El-Hassan also expressed his appreciation of the efforts made his eminence the Grand Imam in establishing peace and mutual coexistence all over the world, in constantly seeking to united Muslims as one, during a difficult time in which sectarian sects are spreading, and takfiri thought and extremist interpretations are prevalent.
H.R.H. Prince El-Hassan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Royals Institute for Inter-Faith Studies in Jordan held a lecture on Islam and establishing peace locally and globally, at Imam Mohammad Abdo Hall at Al-Azhar University, in which he emphasized that today, more than the past, there is a need for the efforts of reformers, who protect religion from the misuse of stray and misleading groups. H.R.H. referred to the fact that Al-Azhar truly represents the conscience of the Arab and Muslim nation, and an institution that is rarely paralleled, in terms of its stature and vision towards dialogue in depth, as regards its etiquette and regulations; based on the constants and heritage of the Arab and Muslim nation, and its culture that is rich with diversity and plurality. Prince El-Hassan emphasized that there must be focus on moderation, humanity and peace which are called upon by Islam; a religion with a shar’ia founded on plurality and difference of opinion.
Prince El-Hassan added that religious scholars and opinion leaders in the Muslim world must strongly and constantly seek promoting peace and peaceful coexistence among peoples of various religions and cultures.