Egypt’s grand Imam says many people fooled by claim that Muslims are terrorists

CAIRO – 11 October 2020: Ahmed El Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Egypt’s Al Azhar, top Islamic authority in the country, has denounced describing Muslims as terrorists, saying that many people, including some Muslims, have been “fooled” by this claim.

"The truth, which the reality, history and free conscience have admitted, is that Muslims built civilizations everywhere they stepped in, even in the heart of Europe," Tayyeb wrote on his official page on Facebook.

He also condemned the “double-standard” principle, which he said has victimized Muslims in some European countries.

Tayyeb’s remarks come almost 10 days after French President Emmanuel Macron vowed a fight against what he called “Islamic separatism” and announced a bill that would impose further restrictions on Muslim people inhabiting the European country.

The grand imam, in a subsequent post, has condemned “irresponsible statement” made recently on Islam, without mentioning Macron.

“While we and the wise people in the West are seeking to promote values of citizenship and coexistence, irresponsible statements are made, taking attack on Islam as a cover to achieve flimsy political gains,” the grand imam said.

“This uncivilized behavior against religions builds a culture of hatred and racism and breeds terrorism.”