Al-Azhar Grand Imam discusses role of media in addressing contemporary challenges
Al-Azhar Grand Imam discusses role of media in addressing contemporary challenges
By Al-Azhar Al-Sharif
Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, held an open dialogue with a select delegation of prominent Arab media figures on the sidelines of his participation in the Arab Media Summit held in Dubai from May 25 to 27.
At the outset of the meeting, the Grand Imam emphasized the crucial role of media in raising awareness of pressing challenges, mobilizing public opinion around the causes of the Muslim Ummah, fostering patriotism, upholding ethical and moral values, and instilling pride in cultural and religious heritage among youth.
He highlighted the urgency of this mission in the face of growing global challenges, rising hate speech, extremism, and Islamophobia, calling for a unified Arab media strategy that defends the interests of the Ummah and protects young generations from the dangers of polarization and alienation, particularly as certain digital platforms seek to distance youth from the realities of their communities and nations.
Sheikh El-Tayyeb noted that Al-Azhar has long been committed to promoting a culture of peace, a fundamental principle that is embedded in its curriculum from elementary to university levels.
“All divine religions were revealed to bring happiness to humankind, to preserve life, and to spread peace, not to ignite wars or fuel hatred,” he affirmed.
The Grand Imam also pointed to Al-Azhar’s initiatives in this regard, including the establishment of the “Egyptian Family House” in collaboration with Egyptian churches. This initiative has played a pivotal role in strengthening national unity and mitigating sectarian tensions.
“When Egyptians saw the priest standing beside the sheikh, many sources of discord and conflict simply vanished,” he observed.
The Grand Imam further elaborated on Al-Azhar’s efforts to foster genuine intra-Islamic rapprochement through dialogue grounded in honesty and shared principles. He referred to the “Islamic Dialogue Conference” held by Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which culminated in the signing of the “Call of the People of the Qibla”, a unifying declaration aimed at promoting mutual understanding among various Islamic schools of thought.
He also underscored the endeavors of Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders to promote global peace, stating, “We have opened new avenues of cooperation with the Vatican and signed the Document on Human Fraternity with my late friend, Pope Francis. We have also initiated dialogue with numerous Christian denominations, including the Eastern churches, the World Council of Churches, and the Church of Canterbury in the UK.”
In response to a question about minority rights, the Grand Imam firmly rejected the use of the term “minorities,” arguing that it implies a hierarchical division among citizens and can lead to the erosion of rights. He stressed the importance of affirming the principle of full citizenship, with equal rights and responsibilities for all. Al-Azhar has organized several conferences and issued numerous declarations reinforcing this principle. He called upon media professionals to actively promote these values, affirming that modern states must be built on equal citizenship without discrimination or categorization.
Addressing the tendency to blame religion for modern conflicts and wars, Sheikh El-Tayyeb stressed the importance of distinguishing between the authentic teachings of religions, which call for peace and coexistence, and the distorted interpretations that justify violence in the name of religion.
“All prophets are brothers, and the religion of God has been one from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all),” he stated, adding, “There can be no justification whatsoever for violence in the name of religion. What we are witnessing is a hijacking of religion for political purposes, an unacceptable misuse.”
The Grand Imam also warned against the Zionist entity’s persistent attempts to conflate Zionism, as an absolute political evil, with Judaism, a monotheistic faith.
When asked about the increasing calls in some societies to normalize homosexuality and other moral deviations, Sheikh El-Tayyeb responded, “Such calls are symptomatic of a civilization in turmoil, one that has lost its moral compass and seeks to marginalize religion altogether, idolizing individual freedom and unrestrained material gratification.”
He clarified that moral authority must derive from divine revelation, not the volatile human intellect. “It is religion that stabilizes morality. We cannot entrust moral guidance solely to the ever-changing human mind,” he asserted.
Concluding the discussion, the Grand Imam addressed the youth of the Arab and Muslim worlds, urging them to arm themselves with knowledge and insight. “Read before you speak, especially when the subject is Islam, Arab identity, or Eastern civilization,” he advised.
