Indonesian House Speaker Hosts Chairman Of Muslim Council Of Elders In Historic Meeting

Puan Maharani, Speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives, welcomed His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, at the Parliamentary Complex in Indonesia. This complex was established by Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, in 1965.

The Speaker expressed her pleasure at the Grand Imam's visit, highlighting its significance for the Indonesian Parliament. She noted that this visit sends a supportive message to Indonesian women amid false fatwas about women's empowerment and leadership roles in Islam.

"As the first woman to chair the House of Representatives of the largest Muslim country, Indonesia, I thank you for your consistent positions that emphasise Islam's respect for women," she said. She appreciated his stance on preserving women's status and elevating their role as equals with men.

The Speaker affirmed the Indonesian people's trust in Al-Azhar as a scientific beacon and a moderate religious reference. She noted that Al-Azhar's stance against aggression on Gaza reflects Indonesians' deep bitterness and their hope for continued awareness-raising efforts by Al-Azhar.

She emphasised that Indonesia and Al-Azhar share common goals of promoting religious and moral values, combating Islamophobia, and creating global Islamic entities capable of defending Muslim issues worldwide. She further stated that Indonesia has adopted pluralism, acceptance of others, and mutual coexistence as core principles.

This approach stems from the belief that diversity is a divine gift intended for this universe. The Speaker explained that Indonesia relies on Al-Azhar to maintain Islamic moderation in the country. Graduates and students from Al-Azhar serve as soft power to uphold Indonesia's cohesive social fabric.

Educational Investments

Indonesia invests in Indonesians studying at Al-Azhar and desires to double their numbers. For his part, the Grand Imam expressed happiness at visiting the Indonesian Parliament. He highlighted strong Egyptian-Indonesian relations, noting Egypt was one of the first countries to support Indonesia's independence in 1946.

He explained that Al-Azhar has been crucial in strengthening these relations, with over 14,000 Indonesian students currently studying at its institutes and university. Al-Azhar also offers 200 scholarships, with plans to increase this number during his visit in appreciation of the Indonesian people.

Model of Pluralism

The Grand Imam praised Indonesia's development and progress alongside its commitment to preserving religious and moral values. He noted that Indonesia serves as a pioneering model of pluralism, religious tolerance, and social peace within unity.

He stressed that Islam's moderation is key to its endurance and distinction from extremism. His Eminence also highlighted the long history of excluding women due to societal traditions mixed with religious rulings. This resulted in biased jurisprudence hindering women's progress out of fear of societal judgment.

Proper education and highlighting women's roles have liberated them from long-standing fears. The Grand Imam pointed out that educating women about their role alongside men has been crucial in building a balanced Muslim society.

The visit underscores shared values between Indonesia and Al-Azhar while promoting mutual respect and cooperation on global Islamic issues.

With inputs from WAM