CAIRO: Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayeb called yesterday for unity among all Muslims against growing challenges in the Islamic world. This call came after a first-time visit of its kind for a Saudi monarch to the Al-Azhar institution, where the king and the grand imam discussed, among other things, means of combating extremism and terrorism, said a statement issued by the Al-Azhar.
Both dignitaries emphasized the need for both Saudi Arabia and Al-Azhar to guard the core values of Islam, while rejecting religious extremism. They stressed the imperative “to disseminate the culture of peace, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence”, said the statement, adding that “Saudi Arabia and Al-Azhar would remain steadfast partners against terrorism.”
Al-Tayeb expressed his profound appreciation for the laudable role Saudi Arabia continually plays vis-a-vis issues dear to the minds and hearts of the Muslim world, a role that upholds the fundamentals of promoting peace and shared coexistence. On his part, the Saudi monarch praised the Al-Azhar institution for promoting tolerance and discrediting extremism and terrorism. The Saudi guest toured the institution’s facilities and expressed admiration for them. He is currently on a five-day visit to Egypt. – KUNA
