Al-Azhar Grand Imam Receives Lebanon’s PM to Discuss Strengthening Cooperation

Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, has received Dr. Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon, to discuss enhancing mutual cooperation and renew Lebanon’s invitation for the Grand Imam to visit the country.

During the meeting, His Eminence expressed his heartfelt wishes for the progress for the Republic of Lebanon, which he deeply cherishes due to its ability to overcome challenges, and for the Lebanese people to live in peace and security. He prayed that Almighty Allah protect Lebanon, unite its people, and swiftly alleviate their hardships.

His Eminence also emphasized that the unity of the Ummah is the path to its progress and advancement amid today’s global challenges. To this end, Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders, and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain convened the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, which was hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in order to revive the values of unity and solidarity. His Eminence stressed the urgent need for these noble values in light of the ongoing inhumane aggression and genocide targeting innocent people in Gaza for nearly two years.

His Eminence also affirmed Al-Azhar’s readiness to host Lebanese imams (Sunni and Shia) and conduct joint training at the Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. The training curriculum would be tailored to address the unique characteristics and diversity of Lebanese society, as well as its challenges, by focusing on values of unity, solidarity, and positive coexistence among all.

For his part, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon expressed his delight at meeting the Grand Imam for the second time and conveyed his nation’s appreciation for His Eminence’s role in promoting values of fraternity and coexistence. He renewed Lebanon’s invitation for the Grand Imam to visit and noted that Lebanon has endured numerous conflicts, and the scourge of sectarian strife, which has cost countless lives and yet its people are still committed to restoring Lebanon’s vitality and progress.