Grand Imam And Malaysian PM Initiate Majlis Ilmu Madani For Scholarly Dialogue

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, along with Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, inaugurated a special session for Malaysian scholars and young researchers. The session focused on discussing Islam's moderation and tolerance, as well as its approach to fostering fraternity and harmony in societies.

In his opening remarks, the Grand Imam highlighted Malaysia's ethnic and religious diversity as a key feature. He stressed that every individual in society holds the responsibility for promoting peaceful coexistence among followers of different religions. He emphasised that unity and cohesion within the Ummah are crucial during these critical times to achieve the desired renaissance.

The Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at the Grand Imam's participation in this significant meeting. He appreciated His Eminence's dedication to engaging openly with Malaysian youth. The Prime Minister affirmed Malaysia's gratitude towards the Grand Imam and Al-Azhar's moderate teachings, which continue to spread both religious and worldly knowledge globally.

The Grand Imam was keen to listen to the opinions of Malaysian youth, discuss their ideas, and answer their questions regarding Islamic schools of thought. He also explored how diversity can benefit the Ummah. Additionally, he discussed women's rights in Islam with some young women, explaining how Islam guarantees women's rights to education and positive participation in social life.

The Prime Minister noted that Malaysia is committed to strengthening its relationship with Al-Azhar. He mentioned benefiting from imam training programmes hosted by the Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. He also expressed hopes that the Grand Imam's visit would mark the beginning of numerous joint projects and initiatives with Al-Azhar.

Commitment to Joint Initiatives

The Prime Minister highlighted Malaysia's commitment to enhancing its relationship with Al-Azhar through various initiatives. He expressed hopes that this visit would lead to numerous joint projects between Malaysia and Al-Azhar. The collaboration aims to benefit from imam training programmes hosted by Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers.

The Grand Imam emphasised that efforts should focus on unity within the Ummah during these critical times. This unity is essential for achieving the desired renaissance. His engagement with Malaysian youth included discussions on various topics of interest, including women's rights in Islam.

The session provided a platform for Malaysian scholars and young researchers to engage in meaningful discussions about Islam's principles of moderation and tolerance. It also aimed at promoting fraternity and harmony within societies.

This event underscores the importance of dialogue between religious leaders and youth in fostering understanding and cooperation across diverse communities.

With inputs from WAM