Latest news with #El-Tayyeb
Al-Ahram Weekly
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Azhar grand imam condemns Israel's aggression against Iran in Persian statement - Foreign Affairs
Ahmed El-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the world's largest Sunni Islamic institution, has issued a forceful condemnation of Israel's ongoing actions against Iran, delivering his message not only in Arabic and English but, for the first time, in Persian on social media. 'I strongly condemn the ongoing aggression by the occupying entity against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the systematic attacks and continued recklessness committed by this usurping aggressor and its backers,' he wrote on his social media accounts. El-Tayyeb warned that such actions risk "dragging the region to the brink of explosion and igniting a full-scale war, from which only arms dealers and profiteers of bloodshed would benefit." He also slammed the international community's response, saying its "silence in the face of this tyranny, and its failure to put an end to it, amounts to complicity in the crime." He added that such inaction "yields nothing but a growing threat to global security." "War cannot create peace," he concluded. His remarks come as the aerial confrontation between Israel and Iran enters its eighth consecutive day, with destruction and casualties mounting on both sides. Meanwhile, investigative reports—such as Seymour Hersh's recent piece detailing an alleged US-backed 'all-out bombing campaign' against Iran, including plans to strike the heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility—suggest a broader escalation. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Serbia expresses interest in deepening ties with Al-Azhar - Foreign Affairs
Serbian Prime Minister Duro Mascut expressed his pleasure on Wednesday at meeting the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, affirming Serbia's interest in deepening its relationship with Al-Azhar. This came during PM Mascut's meeting with Sheikh El-Tayyeb at Al-Azhar's headquarters. During the meeting, Mascut voiced his country's commitment to enhancing cooperation in education and religious dialogue by sending Serbian students to study at Al-Azhar at the university level and pre-university education. He also conveyed Serbia's desire to sign cooperation protocols between Al-Azhar University and Serbian universities to support joint academic and research projects, including faculty and student exchanges. The Serbian prime minister reiterated his country's keenness to strengthen ties with Islamic institutions, particularly Al-Azhar. Moreover, he affirmed Serbia's support for the Palestinian cause, evident in its vote in favor of granting Palestine full membership at the United Nations and its consistent position in support of the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state. For his part, Sheikh El-Tayyeb affirmed Al-Azhar's readiness to meet the needs of Serbian Muslims by training imams at the Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. He said the training will equip religious leaders to address contemporary intellectual and social challenges, such as promoting human fraternity, positive coexistence, women's rights in Islam, and rational rebuttals to extremist ideologies. El-Tayyeb also expressed Al-Azhar's willingness to welcome Serbian Muslim students to study at Al-Azhar University and establish a centre for Arabic language education in Serbia to help Muslim community members learn the Quran language. The grand imam stressed that peace and mutual understanding are Al-Azhar's core principles. He stated that Al-Azhar instills in its students a deep sense of patriotism, respect for diversity, and openness to others. "Difference is a divine universal law, and peaceful coexistence is central to Islamic teaching," he highlighted. Meeting with Pope Tawadros II Earlier on Tuesday, Pope Tawadros II, head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, received Prime Minister Muscat and his accompanying delegation at the papal residence in Cairo as part of his current official visit to Egypt. Upon his arrival, the Serbian prime minister wrote a message in the VIP visitors' book before beginning his meeting with the pope. During their meeting, Pope Tawadros II welcomed PM Muscat, recalling their previous meeting in Belgrade a long time ago. "Although the visit lasted only a few days, it left many beautiful memories. When I returned to Egypt, I spoke to many people about your beautiful country,' the pope said. He noted that the Coptic Orthodox Church, founded in the first century, is a centuries-old church that has played a vital role in Egyptian society. "Egypt is the only country the Holy Family visited, which gives it great significance in both religious tourism and sacred history. This visit sanctified the land of Egypt, making it one of Christianty's holy lands alongside Palestine," Pope Tawdros II added. The pope highlighted that Saint Mark the Apostle founded the Coptic Orthodox Church, and Saint Anthony was the first to practice monasticism, a path followed by monks worldwide. This affirms the church's profound role in Christian life. He further noted that the church serves society in Egypt and abroad. 'I hoped your visit could include more of the historical and religious landmarks that Egypt is known for,' he told the Serbian prime minister, adding that the Egyptian government is very interested in the path of the Holy Family, part of which was on land and part through the Nile River. Pope Tawadros also emphasized the importance of promoting religious tourism between Egypt and Serbia. For his part, PM Mascut expressed his honour at meeting Pope Tawadros II again, praising the Coptic Orthodox Church for preserving Christian history and highlighting the Coptic community's vital role in Egyptian society. He also recalled the pope's recent visit to Serbia as warm and memorable, noting that this trip to Egypt marks his first official foreign visit as prime minister. Furthermore, Mascut conveyed greetings from Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Serbian prime minister also said he had seen the church in Egypt's New Administrative Capital during his meeting with the Egyptian prime minister. Pope Tawadros said this church is the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on the same day as the Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque. He pointed out that the Coptic Orthodox Church enjoys good relations with the president, the government, Al-Azhar, and other Christian churches in Egypt and worldwide. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Azhar grand imam accepts invitation to visit Lebanon, vows to reopen Beirut institute - Foreign Affairs
The grand imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayyeb, has accepted an invitation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to visit Lebanon and reopen Al-Azhar's Beirut institute, which had closed amid the country's recent turmoil. El-Tayyeb received Aoun and a delegation at Al-Azhar's headquarters in Cairo, where he pledged to visit 'at the earliest opportunity,' according to a statement released by the institution. He also committed to reviving the Al-Azhar Institute in Beirut, promising to send qualified envoys and supply educational resources and curricula. 'Lebanon resides in the heart of every Arab and every Muslim,' the grand imam said, describing the country as a symbol of coexistence and diversity. President Aoun, currently on an official visit to Cairo, said he was 'honoured' to visit Al-Azhar for the first time. He praised El-Tayyeb's efforts in advancing interfaith dialogue and combatting extremism. He also thanked Al-Azhar for its longstanding support of Lebanese students during difficult times. The meeting also touched on the importance of the Document on Human Fraternity — co-signed by El-Tayyeb and Pope Francis in 2019 — and Al-Azhar's broader efforts to build dialogue between religious and cultural institutions. Discussions also reaffirmed Al-Azhar's commitment to promoting equal citizenship and rejecting sectarian terms such as 'minorities,' in line with the institution's foundational principles. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CairoScene
23-04-2025
- Politics
- CairoScene
High-Level Al-Azhar Delegation to Attend Pope Francis' Funeral
Sheikh El-Tayyeb will lead the delegation to the Vatican to offer condolences and attend the funeral rites. Apr 23, 2025 A high-level delegation from Egypt's Al-Azhar, led by Sheikh El-Tayyeb, will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Sheikh El-Tayyeb is expected to offer condolences and participate in the funeral rites. In a statement on Monday, Sheikh El-Tayyeb expressed profound sadness over the pope's passing, describing him as 'a distinguished humanitarian figure' and 'a dear friend' who devoted his life to serving humanity. Their friendship grew over years of collaboration, highlighted by Pope Francis' historic visit to Egypt in 2017—the first visit by a pope to Al-Azhar. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi also mourned the pope's death, calling it 'a profound loss to humanity' and honouring him as 'a voice of peace, love, and compassion.' The delegation's participation underscores the lasting spirit of the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 by Sheikh El-Tayyeb and Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi. This agreement laid the groundwork for advancing the values of human fraternity, tolerance, and understanding.
Al-Ahram Weekly
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
El-Sisi checks on Al-Azhar Grand Imam's health - Society
During the call, El-Sisi wished El-Tayyeb a speedy recovery and praised his role in serving Islam and Muslims. According to the Egyptian presidency, El-Tayyeb thanked El-Sisi for his concern and support. He also commended the president's backing of Al-Azhar and its scholars, while praying for Egypt's security and regional stability. The Grand Imam had recently fallen ill, forcing him to cancel all engagements, including attendance at the Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of Power) celebration.
