The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, President of the Muslim Council of Elders meets a delegation of distinguished figures from the Arab media to discuss the role of Media and modern challenges
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, President of the Muslim Council of Elders prof. Ahmed Al-Tayeb conducted an open forum with a number of distinguished figures from the Arab media, on the sidelines of his participation in Arab Media Summit in Dubai, held from May 25 to May 27.
In the beginning, the Grand Imam highlighted the crucial role of media in raising awareness regarding global challenges, mobilizing the public towards the critical issues confronting our nation, fostering a sense of nationalism, safeguarding ethical values and principles, and cultivating an appreciation for ancestral heritage among the youth, particularly in contemporary times as the world contends with multifaceted challenges, including the proliferation of hate speech, discrimination, and Islamophobia. His Eminence further articulated the necessity for Arab media platforms to operate under a coherent strategy that advocates for the concerns of the Ummah and shields the youth from the perils of radicalization and the sense of perplexity; this aims to protect the youth against distraction from the reality of their nation and community.
The Grand Imam elucidated the methodology through which Al-Azhar endeavors to cultivate a culture of peace, a fundamental objective that is integrated into Al-Azhar's curricula, commencing from the foundational educational stages and extending to higher education. His Eminence added: “All religions were revealed to make man happy, prevent bloodshed, and spread peace amongst humanity, rather than to provoke conflicts or propagate animosity.” His Eminence referenced several initiatives undertaken by Al-Azhar within this framework, such as the establishment of “The Egyptian Family House,” in collaboration with various Egyptian churches. This initiative helped strengthening the national structure and eliminated many of the sectarian appearances, as he said: “when the Egyptian citizen saw a priest standing side by side with a sheikh, many of the seditions and problems vanished.”
His Eminence indicated that Al-Azhar has remained vigilant regarding the necessity to cultivate authentic Islamic solidarity and comprehension. This was reflected in holding an Islamic-Islamic dialogue, based on sincere talk, with the aim to fold yesterday’s page, and start afresh from the commons that gathers the Ummah’s schools of thought, towards using what serves the unity and prosperity of this nation. That was “The Intra-Islamic Dialogue” conference in Bahrain co-organized by Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders. That dialogue that concluded with signing “Call of Qiblah People” Document as a collective principles document, for the sake of enhancing dialogue and understanding between the different Islamic doctrines and schools of thought.
His Eminence referred to Al-Azhar’s and the Muslim Council of Elders’ efforts in enhancing world peace, he said: “we opened horizons of cooperation with the Vatican, and I co-signed with my friend “the Late Pope Francis” the Document on Human Fraternity. In addition, we had other channels of communication with other churches including the eastern ones, the World Council of Churches, and the Church of Canterbury in the UK.”
As for the rights of minorities, His eminence said: “Al-Azhar refuses the word “minorities”, for it indicates loss of rights, and classifying citizens into varied classes; some are of higher ranks while others are of lower ones. The Grand Imam also highlighted the necessity of confirming the importance of establishing the principle of “full citizenship”, and having equal rights and duties for everyone.”
His eminence also stressed that the Zionist entity’s attempts to misleadingly present “Zionism” which represents complete evil in the name of “Judaism” which is a heavenly religion, has become so clear like the sun in mid-day.
As for the rising calls to accept “pederasty” and other community diseases, His Eminence commented: “these calls are a proof to the insanity and disorder of the current civilization, while overstepping all the limits of morals and religious teachings, as well as the continuous attempts to exclude religion, marginalize its role religion within people’s lives, not only that but they also idolize human’s freedom, focusing only material needs.”
In the end, the Gran Imam called upon the Arab and Muslim youth to arm themselves with science and knowledge, saying: “Read before you speak, especially when it comes to Islam, Arabism, and the eastern civilization.”