Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, calls on the youth to be ambassadors of peace.
The first of its kind inter-faith forum for the youth titled ‘Youth Engagement, Religion and Violence’ was held at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, jointly organised by the influential institution of Al-Azhar and the World Council of Churches (WCC). The three-day event was attended by over 40 young people who represented 15 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
The event offered sessions about building citizenship from social, political, economic and educational perspectives in order to have integrative and inclusive societies and prevent violence. Investing in building citizenship was considered as a measure to prevent young people from being preyed upon by extremist groups and falling into fanaticism. Another important session covered religious discourse. Participants discussed the role of Al-Azhar University in forming Imams and investing in continuing formation. Religious discourse has a great impact on the society especially in communities in which people are under social or economic hardship, living under threat of discrimination, or after a terrorist attack when people are particularly sensitive to religious discourses. A session also focused on social justice and the importance of linking it to just and sustainable peace. Young people asked themselves which social conditions create an atmosphere that lead to engagement in extremist groups or extremist discourse.
Addressing the inaugural session of the forum, WCC Coordinator Armen Nasry praised the cooperation between the WCC and Al-Azhar, and stressed the importance of the forum to boost inter-faith dialogue between Muslim and Christian youth on different issues. Senior Representative of Al-Azhar, Abbas Shoman, said: “Al-Azhar believes in the necessity to build bridges with non-Muslims as the best and most successful way to resolve problems that threaten societies.” Further stating that preparations where underway for an international conference on peace in coordination with the Vatican.
In the concluding session of the event, the participants met with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, who addressed the forum stating: “I have an absolute confidence in your youthful and great enthusiasm and your heightened state of awareness that you will be ambassadors of peace, mercy and cooperation among all peoples.”
The Grand Imam added: “The divine religions, sealed by Islam, affirm that man is honoured and respected. They prohibit shedding the blood of, assaulting or terrorizing the innocent.” He had a clear vision to share with today’s young people: “Your first cause should be how to create a new world where there is no place for blood-shedding, poverty, illness or ignorance.” He further encouraged the interfaith youth forum with the task of combating radical and destructive ideas that call for conflict, violence and hatred.
Read the full speech of the Grand Imam in Arabic
Read the full speech of the Grand Imam in English
