Shaykh al-Azhar Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb congratulates US President Barack Obama reminding him of the issues of Palestine and Myanmar.
On winning a second presidential term in the White House, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb, sent a letter of congratulations to the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, and forwarded his best wishes to the American people.
In his statement, Shaykh Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb hoped that the situation of the Middle East region, primarily the just issue of Palestine, will be given a priority by Barack Obama in his new term and firm effort will be placed in putting an end to the oppression faced by the Palestinians. Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb further hoped that the President will leave no stone unturned in putting a stop to the massacres of Muslims taking place in Myanmar in order to bring peace and security to the world. The Grand Imam also wished that Egyptian-US relations will be further reinforced and strengthened in the near future for the common interest of both sides.
During his first term as President, Barack Obama gave one of his important speeches addressing the Muslim world in Cairo in June 2009 and regarding the significance of Islam and the historic institution of Al-Azhar, he then remarked, “For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning… As a student of history, I also know civilisation’s debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like Al-Azhar – that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.”
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