Grand Imam And Indonesian Vice President Unite To Fight Islamophobia

Dr. Ma'ruf Amin, Vice President of Indonesia, welcomed Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to discuss enhancing mutual cooperation. Dr. Amin highlighted the deep respect Indonesians have for Al-Tayeb and emphasised Al-Azhar's role as a trusted religious and scholarly reference in Indonesia.

Dr. Amin mentioned Indonesia's plan to boost academic relations with Al-Azhar by setting up an education development office for incoming students. This initiative aims to prepare Indonesian students before they start their studies at Al-Azhar University, considering them future scholars and leaders.

The Vice President also praised the coordination between the Egyptian Zakat and Charity House and the Indonesian Zakat and Charity Authority. He appreciated their efforts in organising humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza, reflecting strong bilateral cooperation in charitable activities.

Dr. Amin reaffirmed Indonesia's support for Palestinian rights, highlighting the country's advocacy against oppression and violence faced by Palestinians in Gaza at international forums. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration with Al-Azhar to present Islam accurately on a global scale.

He pointed out the need to clarify Islam's moderation and compassion, especially amid false accusations linking Islam to violence and extremism. Addressing these misconceptions is crucial to countering Islamophobia in Western countries, which affects the security and stability of Muslim communities.

Promoting Islamic Moderation

The Grand Imam underscored Al-Azhar's efforts to promote Islam's moderation through dialogues between East and West and international conferences on women's status in Islam. He advocated using "citizenship" instead of "minorities" to promote equality regardless of religion, race, gender, or colour.

Al-Tayeb highlighted positive integration among all citizens within a country, drawing from the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) establishment of the first Islamic state with the "Constitution of Medina." This document ensured everyone's rights based on respect, affection, coexistence, and integration.

Unified Islamic Voice

The Grand Imam stressed the lack of coordinated efforts among Islamic countries and institutions. He called for a unified Islamic voice to address challenges effectively. He warned that substantial efforts would only succeed if driven by genuine desire for change through full cooperation and coordination.

Excluding any party would lead to fragmentation and disorientation, hindering progress in the Islamic world. A unified approach is essential for addressing crises and achieving prosperity.

The meeting between Dr. Ma'ruf Amin and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb highlighted significant areas for collaboration between Indonesia and Al-Azhar University. Their discussions underscored mutual respect, shared goals in education, charity work, support for Palestine, promoting moderate Islam, and fostering unity among Islamic nations.

With inputs from WAM