Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Presents the Malaysian Prime Minister with the Muslim Council of Elders Shield in Recognition of His Efforts to Serve Islam and Support the Ummah’s Causes
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Malaysian Prime Minister: “Grand Imam Holds a High Status in the Muslim World, and We Should Use It to Persuade Muslims of the Importance of Dialogue and Convergence Among Various Schools of Thought”
Malaysian Prime Minister: “Ready to Support and Spread the Message of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference Across Southeast Asia”
His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, today at his residence in the Kingdom of Bahrain to explore avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation.
At the start of their meeting, the Malaysian Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the Grand Imam’s invitation to engage in this timely dialogue, appreciating his effort to involve all Islamic schools of thought without excluding any group. “I heard your opening speech at the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference and requested it be translated into Malaysian to be shared with ministries, relevant agencies, mosques, and Islamic institutions in our country,” said Prime Minister Mr. Ibrahim. “Your address outlined what should be the ‘next steps’ following the conference and what actions we need to take to turn the discussions into tangible outcomes that will benefit the entire Ummah.”
Mr. Anwar Ibrahim affirmed Malaysia’s commitment to support all outcomes of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, ensuring that its message is recognized and spread globally, especially in Southeast Asia. He emphasized his country’s commitment to fostering the unity of the Ummah and rejecting divisiveness. “Your Eminence, you possess significant credibility and respect across the Muslim world, and we should use this to persuade Muslims globally of the importance of dialogue and reconciliation among all Islamic schools of thought and to close the door to those seeking to divide and scatter the Ummah from its objectives,” he stated.
In response, the Grand Imam emphasized that Islamic unity is the only solution to maintain the Ummah’s stability, resurgence, and ability to overcome any crisis, regardless of severity. This conviction motivated the convening of this conference, which addresses the scholarly aspect of understanding ‘the other’—a critical and influential factor in shaping perceptions among adherents of different schools of thought. ‘This aspect has the potential to lead the Ummah to peace, influence behaviors, and foster ideas of convergence, dialogue, and unity among all Islamic schools of thought, and to eliminate the manipulation of religion in conflicts that aim to divide communities,’ His Eminence explained. The Grand Imam highlighted the scholarly community’s ability to establish guidelines for dialogue, while noting that the responsibility for creating mechanisms for implementation rests with politicians.
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar emphasized the need for coordinated efforts and opening dialogue channels between religious scholars and political leaders, stressing that Islamic fraternity and the future of the Ummah must take precedence over transient political interests. He advocated for the Muslim world to unite under a common project, asserting that unity is a fortress that no one can breach, and without which, no party can rise regardless of its strength and advancement. He pointed out that division is a disease and weakness that can only be cured through unity, dialogue, and a belief in the inevitability of a shared destiny among all members of the Ummah. He cited the Palestinian cause and the ongoing situation in Gaza, where the killing of innocents and children for over 16 months and plans for the displacement of Palestinians would not have occurred if there were true Islamic unity.
At the end of the meeting, the Grand Imam, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, presented the Malaysian Prime Minister with the Muslim Council of Elders Shield in appreciation of his efforts to serve Islam and support the causes of the Ummah.