Al-Azhar Grand Imam meets Saudi and Australian ambassadors

Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, held separate meetings with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Australia to discuss religious cooperation and international issues.

During a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Saleh bin Eid Al-Hussaini, the Grand Imam emphasized the deep historical ties between Al-Azhar and Saudi Arabia. He expressed a commitment to strengthening cooperation with Saudi religious and scientific institutions to serve Islamic and Arab causes.

In a meeting with Australian Ambassador Axel Wampfler, the Grand Imam addressed the rise of Islamophobia in the West. He urged the ambassador to convey an accurate image of Islam and Muslims to Australia, noting that direct dialogue is essential to countering stereotypes. The discussions also touched upon the Palestinian cause and the importance of international law. The Australian ambassador noted that his government has appointed a special envoy to combat Islamophobia and praised Al-Azhar for its support of the approximately 75 Australian students studying at its institutions.