Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI) stresses the necessity of Arab and Islamic unity to confront the successive crises facing our Islamic world

We count on Indonesian graduates of Al-Azhar to spread the values of coexistence and social peace in our country, Indonesian President

We appreciate Al-Azhar’s role in educating our children who have held the highest positions, most notably President Abdurrahman Wahid, 4th President of Indonesia, who received his education at Al-Azhar, Indonesian President

His Eminence Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI) received today, Wednesday, at Al-Azhar Headquarters, President Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation.

His Eminence the Grand Imam welcomed the Indonesian President and his accompanying delegation to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, pointing to the strong historical ties that link Al-Azhar and Indonesia, which were reinforced through the continuous influx of Indonesian students to receive education at Al-Azhar. He pointed out that Al-Azhar is pleased to host 15,000 male and female students from Indonesia to study at various educational levels, highlighting their diligence, dedication to learning, and exemplary manners and high morals.

His Eminence reaffirmed Al-Azhar's readiness to meet all of Indonesia's requests regarding the training of imams and preachers at Al-Azhar's International Academy for Training Imam. He noted that the academy has already trained 300 Indonesian imams and expressed Al-Azhar's willingness to increase its mission to Indonesia, which currently consists of 47 scholars and teachers. His Eminence also praised the growing collaboration between the Zakat and Charity House - the charitable arm of Al-Azhar - and Indonesian humanitarian organizations, particularly in supporting relief convoys sent to aid our brothers in Gaza, who are suffering from severe oppression, genocide, and an inhumane aggression that no human being should endure. He condemned the unprecedented global silence and inaction in response to these atrocities.  

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar stressed the necessity of unifying the Arab and Islamic ranks, and that it is the only way to confront the successive crises facing our Islamic world. His Eminence pointed out that Islamic countries possess all the factors of progress and prosperity. He prayed to Almighty Allah to bring forth from all these hardships a blessing that fosters unity, solidarity, and the prioritization of common interest and Islamic brotherhood.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar also expressed his appreciation for Indonesia’s hosting of the regional office of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), and its readiness to play an important role in the Global Alliance of Religious Leaders, which is organized by the Muslim Council of Elders under the title: (Religions for Development and Peace).

For his part, President Subianto expressed his happiness for meeting the Grand Imam for the second time after the first meeting in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. He also expressed  great appreciation for the efforts made by Al-Azhar to care for Indonesian students and provide them with all means of comfort to help them devote themselves to acquiring knowledge and science. He stressed that Indonesian graduates of Al-Azhar enjoy a good reputation and represent a fundamental foundation in establishing the values of brotherhood and coexistence in Indonesian society. He added that Indonesia relies heavily on them to spread social peace, pointing out that the fourth Indonesian President, Abdurrahman Wahid, received his education at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif.

The Indonesian President added, “We feel sorry for what is happening in the Middle East, and everything that happens to Arabs and Muslims affects us greatly. We are deeply saddened to see the state of division that has swept our Muslim world and the silence towards what is happening in Gaza. We also regret to see global trends working to marginalize and diminish the role of the Islamic world.” He stressed his confidence in restoring the Islamic countries to their distinguished position in the global system, considering the human capabilities and natural resources they possess that guarantee growth and progress. He affirmed that Indonesia is keen on the unity of the Islamic world, and is making great efforts to contain internal conflicts and tensions and advance communication and rapprochement.

The Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed his country's hosting of the first edition of the Muslim Council of Elders' conference, “Religions for Development and Peace” and affirmed Indonesia’s commitment to supporting and ensuring the success of the event.