Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Receives Amr Khaled in his Office

Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Receives Amr Khaled in his Office

His Eminence, Dr. Al-Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, received preacher Amr Khaled, accompanied by Dr. Abdul Halim Aweys, a professor of Islamic History and Civilization at the Cairo-based Al-Azhar Sheikhdom on Monday. The meeting lasted for an hour and its details have not yet been disclosed to the media. An informed source at Al-Azhar told Al Youm Al Sabe3 that the meeting was friendly and they touched on the recent tragic events which occurred in Alexandria.
 
“They discussed how to modernize religious discourse and patterns of cultural behavior to strengthen national unity, away from intolerance and radical ideas in their private talk,” the source added, noting that the Grand Imam may include Amr Khaled to the Committee of “Family House for Egypt’s Muslims, Copts” in a bid to promote bonds between Egypt’s Muslims and Christians despite the fact that he is not a graduate of Al-Azhar, to benefit from his experience in dealing with young people and how to positively interact with them as he has great popularity among the younger generations.
 
The source added that Amr Khaled praised the reform undertaken by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar as he hired top scholars such as Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi for this purpose.
 
Amr Khaled condemned the terrorist bombing that took place outside the Saints Church in Alexandria, describing it as immoral and inhumane, adding that Islam states that [Whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if be had killed all mankind] (Al-Ma’idah: 32). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “The believer is the one to whom people feel secured regarding their blood and property.”