Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, President of Azerbaijan talk efforts to stop aggression on Gaza

CAIRO - 12 November 2024: His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders met with President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the sidelines of the opening of the 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku. 

The Azerbaijani President and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar agreed on the importance of continuing to mobilize international efforts to continue pressure to stop the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the strip. 

They both also voiced their complete rejection of the encroachment on the property of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, obstructing its work and preventing it from providing its services to innocent Palestinians, which led to the aggravation of the humanitarian situation in the camps, the martyrdom of more than 40,000, most of whom were women and children, and the displacement of nearly two million people from their homes.

The Grand Imam is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech addressing Islam’s perspective on environmental conservation and the climate change crisis. His speech will explore how the voice of religion can be utilized to strengthen the role of religious leaders in raising awareness of this critical issue and finding solutions to this serious threat to life on Earth.

During his visit, the Grand Imam is also expected to meet with various officials, religious leaders, intellectuals, and cultural figures, aiming to unify perspectives and foster collaborative efforts to address global challenges, with a particular focus on climate issues and the ongoing conflicts affecting our world.

Last year, the Grand Imam, along with other prominent religious figures, co-signed the "Call of Conscience: Abu Dhabi Joint Statement for Climate" prior to COP28 in the United Arab Emirates. He also participated virtually alongside His Holiness Pope Francis in launching the inaugural Faith Pavilion, which was organized by the Muslim Council of Elders.