Grand Imam of Al Azhar, UAE President discuss ‘Religions for Development’ initiative

CAIRO – July 13, 2024: UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, where both sides discussed the “Religions for Development” initiative that the Muslim Council of Elders launched.

Grand Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb arrived in Abu Dhabi on Saturday after a tour of Southeast Asia that included Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, said Al Azhar Sheikhdom in a statement early Saturday.

 

The Council of Muslim Elders has launched an initiative to enhance the role of religious scholars in supporting development and peace efforts in the world under the title “Alliance of Religions for Development and Peace” in cooperation with the Republic of Indonesia.

The two sides also addressed the ways of enhancing cooperation between Al Azhar Institute, one of the top Islamic Sunni institutes in Egypt and the Arab world, the United States of Emirates and the Muslim Council of Elders, the statement added.

Additionally, they tackled files that consolidate common human values and establish a culture of coexistence, civilizational dialogue and peace between different cultures and peoples in the world, based on the principles of the “Human Fraternity” document signed by Sheikh Al-Azhar and Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, in February 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

 

For his part, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised efforts exerted by Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in spreading tolerance and human coexistence and promoting the culture of respect for others, besides Al-Azhar’s pivotal role in introducing the true image of Islam and preserving its tolerant message calling for goodness, peace and harmony.

Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb appreciated the interest that the UAE pays to the issues of the Islamic nation, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause and support for the Palestinian people at various levels. The Grand Imam also touched on the efforts of Al-Azhar and the Council of Muslim Elders in promoting the values of peace, coexistence and human brotherhood, in addition to confronting hate speech and extremism, and working to activate the role of religious scholars in confronting contemporary human challenges.