The Grand Imam: “What has been happening in Gaza for over a year and a half is a brutal crime—one beyond imagination, even in the Middle Ages”
The Grand Imam: “Peace, understanding, and brotherhood are at the heart of Al-Azhar’s mission—values we strive to instill in the hearts of our students
His Eminence Professor Ahmad at-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, met with a delegation from the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), United Kingdom, headed by Mr. Philip Parham, Senior Director of Orientation at RCDS.
The Grand Imam welcomed the Royal College of Defence Studies delegation at the headquarters of al-Azhar (Mashyakhat al-Azhar), emphasizing that al-Azhar has borne the responsibility of teaching the true essence of Islam to students from across the globe for over 1,080 years. He affirmed that al-Azhar’s mission is rooted in the promotion of peace, mutual understanding, and brotherhood—values it strives to instill in the hearts of its students through a balanced and moderate curriculum that conveys authentic religious teachings and shields them from extremist ideologies.
His Eminence affirmed that al-Azhar is open to all and actively engages in cooperation with religious institutions both domestically and internationally. Notably, its first partnership began with the Egyptian Church through the establishment of the “Egyptian Family House,” an initiative that brings together all Egyptian churches under the umbrella of al-Azhar ash-Sharif. This joint effort has played a significant role in preventing and addressing sectarian tensions across Egypt’s governorates. Among the most important outcomes of this constructive collaboration with the Egyptian Church and other Eastern Churches was the replacement of the term “minorities” with “citizenship,” a milestone achieved during al-Azhar International Conference on “Freedom and Citizenship.. Diversity and Integration”. He added that al-Azhar has also expanded its cooperation to include Western churches. The Grand Imam highlighted his visits to the Church of Canterbury, the Vatican, and the World Council of Churches, which led to numerous constructive agreements. One of the most significant outcomes of this cooperation was the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity” with the late Pope Francis in 2019. This historic document stands as a cornerstone for global peace and coexistence, offering effective solutions to many of the world’s current challenges, provided its principles are genuinely implemented.
The Grand Imam of al-Azhar emphasized that al-Azhar promotes its moderate and balanced approach globally, serving as a beacon of true Islamic scholarship. Currently, it hosts over 60,000 students from 110 countries, who return to their homelands equipped with sound jurisprudence and authentic Shariah sciences. These graduates play a vital role in fostering peace within their societies and countering extremist ideologies. His Eminence further noted that groups engaging in violence based on a distorted understanding of religion do not represent Islam. He likened them to “hired guns”, working with one party at one time and with another at a different time.
The Grand Imam also expressed his deep regret to the members of the delegation over the unprecedented chaos, wars, violence, and bloodshed the world is witnessing today. He attributed this global unrest to the abandonment of fundamental human values, noting that the world has become like a jungle, where the powerful prey upon the weak. As evidence, His Eminence cited the ongoing brutal crimes in Gaza, continuing for more than a year and a half—atrocities unimaginable even in the Middle Ages. These horrors have become a daily reality, unfolding before the eyes of the international community. Despite the age of scientific and technological advancement and the widespread use of lofty human rights slogans, this war has exposed the futility of such rhetoric when not backed by genuine action.
For their part, the members of the delegation expressed their great appreciation for the opportunity to visit al-Azhar ash-Sharif. They praised the pivotal role played by His Eminence the Grand Imam in strengthening relations between East and West, fostering interfaith dialogue, and promoting the values of peace and coexistence among people of all religions and cultures.
