Manama, President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, held today a work meeting with the Grand Imam Sheikh of Al Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb.
The meeting was held at the Grand Imam Sheikh of Al Azhar’s residence in the presence of SCIA members, Al Azhar scholars and the Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In a speech delivered at the meeting, the SCIA President welcomed the Al Azhar Grand Imam in his second country, Bahrain, praising his support and attendance of Bahrain Dialogue Forum at an invitation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He also hailed holding the periodic meeting of the Muslim Council of Elders in Bahrain.
The SCIA President expressed happiness over the historic meeting between Al Azhar Grand Imam and members of SCIA, describing it as a new push forward in boosting relations with Al Azhar Mosque. He voiced the kingdom’s pride in its historic relations with Al Azhar Mosque and its clerics and scholars, describing it as a religious educational edifice and a symbol of moderation, coexistence and unity between Muslims. He stressed the pioneering role of Al Azhar Mosque for more than ten decades in promoting the precepts of Islam and fostering unity between the Islamic nations.
The SCIA President commended the initiatives of HE Dr. Al Tayeb in promoting tolerance, coexistence and moderation as well as defending Islam, the Islamic values and unity of the Islamic nation. He expressed SCIA’s support to Al Azhar Mosque as they share the same vision, message and goals. He noted the key role played by SCIA in promoting unity between Muslims and preserving the Islamic values and traditions.
Member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Mahmoud Al Mahmoud voiced in his speech the kingdom’s pride in receiving HE Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, commending Al Azhar’s key role in promoting religious tolerance and coexistence. He lauded the kingdom’s hosting of Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the participation of the l Azhar Grand Iman and His Holiness Pope Francis.
Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Mahmoud Al Mahmoud conveyed to HE Dr. Ahmed Al Tayed the greetings and best wishes of Bahraini graduates from Al Azhar Mosque.
Member of SCIA, Sheikh Dr. Suleiman Al-Shaikh Mansour Al-Sitri, voiced happiness of the council members over the historic meeting with Al Azhar Grand Imam, expressing appreciation of SCIA’s strong relations with the international organisations and institutions concerned with the Islamic affairs. He commended the pivotal role of Al Azhar Grand Imam in serving Islam and Muslims, pointing out the importance of enhancing joint action between the Islamic institutions to better serve Islamic issues.
Sheikh Dr. Al-Sitri praised the speech given by HE Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb in the concluding session of Bahrain Dialogue Forum and his call for more unity between Muslims.
Addressing the meeting, the Grand Imam Sheikh of Al Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, expressed thanks and gratitude to HM the King for the gracious welcome and hospitality, lauding the tireless efforts of SCIA under the presidency of Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
He described Bahrain as an oasis of pluralism, commending tolerance and coexistence that have ever characterized the Bahraini people. He said that Bahrain is one of the best places to embody Islamic unity, under the leadership of HM the King, thanks to its authentic history, culture and civilisation.
HE Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb spoke with members of SCIA about issues of concern to the Muslim nation and the ambient challenges posed to it. He urged more unity, warning of the danger of doctrinal seditions and the insidious projects behind them. He noted that there is no problem in doctrinal pluralism as the nation is one and has all the requirements of unity.
Then, a number of issues of common concern were discussed at the meeting, including mainly Islamic unity and the need for an Islamic dialogue that promotes the language of mutual respect.
At the end of the meeting, the Grand Imam Sheikh of Al Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, presented the Muslim Council of Elders Shield to the SCIA President in appreciation of his dedicated efforts to foster the values of peace, coexistence and human fraternity.
Source: Bahrain News Agency