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Mohammed bin Zayed meets Grand Imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar Al-Sharif

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces has met the Grand Imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Shaikh Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, who is currently on a visit to the UAE.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed congratulated Dr. Shaikh Al-Tayyeb for being named the Cultural Personality of the Year in the seventh edition of the Shaikh Zayed Book Award.

At the meeting, held at Emirates Palace, Gen Shaikh Mohammed hailed the intellectual and cultural role of Al Azhar Al-Sharif and its support to the Islamic and Arab issues. These positions, he noted, stem from the prestigious status attained by the institution centuries ago as a scientific and religious beacon to promote the great Islamic values of moderation, tolerance, peace and love in the face of those who call for extremism and fanaticism.

Gen Shaikh Mohammed commended the outspoken and clearly-stated positions taken by Al Azhar to firmly counter all attacks on the essence and the creed of Islam. He also hailed the Institution’s role in preserving the ideological fabric of Islam, which is rich in diversity of visions and thoughts that comply with the foundations of Sharia and the spirit of Islam.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed emphasised the UAE’s interest in bolstering its cooperation with, and support to, Al Azhar Al Sharif in service to Islam and Muslims in scientific, religious, educational and other spheres.

He also hailed the intellectual and scientific contributions of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif to Islamic and Arab culture with a wide array of researches, studies and other valuable work which address modern issues. He also praised Dr Al-Tayyeb’s responsible leadership of Al Azhar, his continuous call for promoting the tolerant teachings of Islam as well as his good offices in promoting the unification of the ranks of Muslims and protecting them from dangers and for promoting dialogue, understanding and cooperation as ways to resolve issues.

Gen Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar discussed issues and challenges facing the Muslim World and emphasised the need for coordination among all concerned parties in the Arab region and Muslim World in order to achieve solidarity and face the challenges.

For his part, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar praised the wise leadership of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his role in backing the causes of Islam and Muslims in continuation of the approach adopted by the late founding father, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Praising the initiatives launched by the UAE in support of Al Azhar’s mission and its moderate and tolerant religious approach, Dr. Shaikh Al-Tayyeb cited the construction of on-campus and fully-equipped facilities for Al Azhar University’s students. He said the UAE-funded Zayed Institute for Teaching Arabic for Non-Native Speakers, was ready to serve and qualify students willing to pursue studies at Al Azhar University.

He also hailed the UAE’s humanitarian and charitable aid to the underprivileged and the poor worldwide, that had given the UAE a good international reputation. He also praised the UAE’s support for religious and scientific institutions involved in spreading the culture and teachings of Islam.

In attendance at the meeting were Dr. Hadef bin Jowan Al Dhahiri, Minister of Justice, Mohammed bin Nakheera Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the UAE to Egypt, Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Advisor for Culture and Heritage at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, and Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Secretary General of the Shaikh Zayed Book Award

Attending from the Egyptian side were the former Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) and Member of the Senior Ulama Council (council of senior religious scholars), Dr Ahmed Muabbad Abdul Kareem, Professor of Hadith and Member of the Senior Ulama Council, and Judge Mohammed Mahmoud Abdul Salam, Advisor to the Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Advisor to the Senior Ulama Council.

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