The Indonesian President Praises the Efforts of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Spreading and Promoting the Values of Dialog and Tolerance
The delegation of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates in Indonesia, headed by Prof. Abbas Shouman, President of the Organization and Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, inaugurated the Eighth Forum for al-Azhar Graduates, titled “The Role of Civil Society Institutions in Achieving Social Security and Peaceful Coexistence,” held in East Java Governorate, in the presence of a special envoy of the Indonesian President-elect, Prabowo Subianto.
The envoy of the Indonesian presidency conveyed the President’s greetings to the delegation of the Organization, praising al-Azhar’s role in spreading moderation and balance, as well as promoting the values of dialog and tolerance under the leadership of His Eminence the Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb. He also expressed his appreciation for al-Azhar’s efforts in supporting Indonesian students.
In his speech, Prof. Abbas Shouman, President of the Organization, praised the choice of the forum’s title and stressed the importance of implementing its recommendations in practice. He stated, “If we seek to achieve peace and peaceful coexistence among societies, we must follow the example of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).” He also highlighted that Islam, through its teachings, emphasizes the significance of peaceful coexistence among all people, regardless of their beliefs or colors.
For his part, Prof. Salama Dawood, President of Al-Azhar University and Vice-President of the Organization, emphasized in his speech at the forum that Al-Azhar has experienced a great renaissance under the leadership of His Eminence the Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb, may God protect him. He noted that many initiatives have been established to promote moderation and balance and foster the spirit of citizenship and peaceful coexistence.
He said, “The concept of homeland and citizenship, an essential idea in Islamic thought, is rooted in the Holy Quran and the purified Sunnah of the Prophet.”
Prof. Salama Dawood also called on civil society institutions to play their role in promoting the values of peaceful coexistence among different segments of society.
Furthermore, Prof. Mohammad Zain al-Majd, head of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates’ branch in Indonesia, noted
that al-Azhar Graduates Organization in Indonesia is working to implement the directives of His Eminence the Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb, may God protect him, to strengthen the connections between al-Azhar Graduates in Indonesia and al-Azhar ash-Sharif.
A high-level delegation from the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates arrived in Indonesia, led by Prof. Abbas Shouman, President of the Organization and Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars; Major General Wael Mahmoud Bekhit, Vice-President of the Organization; Prof. Abdul Dayyem Nusseir, Secretary-General of the Organization and Advisor to the Grand Imam; and Ahmad Fawzi, Director of Foreign Branches Department.
The visit aims to enhance cooperation between the Organization and its branch in Indonesia, in line with the directives of His Eminence, the Grand Imam Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb. The goals are to promote moderation and balance, maintain communication between al-Azhar and its graduates in Indonesia, discuss the branch’s strategic approach, and address contemporary challenges and ways to confront them.
