The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar: 

The family in Eastern civilization is governed by religious values that must not be tampered with, nor should its components be left to the whims of customs and traditions.

The Egyptian Family House is a pioneering Egyptian experience that has closed the doors to sedition and sectarianism.

Al-Azhar rejects the term "minorities" because it diminishes full citizenship.

European Special Representative for Human Rights: 

Al-Azhar's role is global and essential for protecting human rights.

We are well aware of the need to respect human rights within the framework of religious, moral, and social values.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb  received today, Thursday, at Al-Azhar headquarters, Ms. Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation.

The Grand Imam said that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has a clear position on the issue of human rights. He stated, “I am among those who believe that there is a great deal of human rights agreed upon between the East and the West, and everyone should work to invest in them as the foundations of human rights. However, there remain some things that the West considers to be rights, but for us in the East, they are not considered to be so because they contradict common sense and clash with religious and moral values, which are the two basic components and the approved reference for the peoples in the East.”

His Eminence affirmed Al-Azhar’s commitment to rights and freedoms, which was manifested in the issuance of the Al-Azhar Document on Fundamental Freedoms, which affirmed that human dignity is not a gift that is granted, but rather an inherent right that cannot be violated. 

At the same time, the Grand Imam stressed Eastern nations’ rejection of attempts to impose the Western human rights system on Eastern people under the pretext of freedoms. His Eminence added that it is necessary for the West to understand that these matters are closely related to the Eastern personality, identity, history and civilization, and to the system of values and religious teachings in the first place.

The Grand Imam explained that the issue of the family in Eastern civilization is not viewed as a civil project, but rather it is governed by strict religious rules, formulated precisely to prevent tampering with it and its components, foremost among which is preserving the status of women, so that they are not left to the whims of customs, traditions and modern developments in societies.

His Eminence stressed that the aggression against Gaza revealed that there is a distinction between human rights in the East and in the West. He pointed out that the killing of more than 70 thousand people without a crime, except that they wanted to live in their homeland, and refused attempts of displacement - indicates the double standards of the West. He stressed that the occupying entity could not have done that without the support of the political regimes in some Western countries.

His Eminence stated: “I hope to live to see the European Union acting according to established principles and foundations, which is the equality between Eastern and Western people in their right to life. When human rights are violated in the West, there are firm stances and laws, and when this happens in the East, the view and laws change, and violations are overlooked.”

Regarding the internal situation, His Eminence pointed out that at the beginning of the last decade, Al-Azhar noticed that there were signs of attempts to spread strife between Muslims and their Christian brothers. Therefore, Al-Azhar took the initiative to cooperate with the Egyptian churches to establish the Egyptian Family House. This institution has been fruitful in eliminating all forms of extremism and sectarian strife, and it has branches and offices in many governorates of Egypt. The governing principle was the recognition of full citizenship for all, regardless of religion. Al-Azhar also announced its rejection of the term “minorities” because of the negative views it entails regarding rights and freedoms.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights expressed her delight at meeting the Grand Imam and her appreciation for his tangible efforts in spreading a culture of peace, brotherhood, acceptance of others, and equality for all. She stated that the EU is well aware of the role of Al-Azhar institution and the important and vital role it plays in protecting human rights and human dignity, not only in Egypt, but throughout the world.

She affirmed that the European Union seeks to strengthen cooperation with Al-Azhar, based on its belief in the role of religious institutions, noting that human rights shared outweigh areas of difference, and stressing the importance of respecting human rights in light of religious, moral, and social values.