French fm hails al Azhar role, calls for training French imams in Egypt
Egypt-France, Religion, 9/30/2005

The Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar Mohamed Sayyed Tantawi met on Thursday with French Foreign Minister Phillippe Douste-Blazy and his accompanying delegation which included Sheikh Dalil Abu Bakr, head of the Islamic Center in Paris.

The meeting was attended by French Ambassador in Cairo Jean Claude Cousseran and Al Azhar's deputy Sheikh Mahmoud Imbabi.

The grand Sheikh shed light on Al Azhar's prestigious position at the world level through attaching importance to clarifying Islam's image away from "blind extremism." Tantawi said Islam gives all peoples their rights either Muslims or non-Muslims, adding that Islam extended a helping hand to those seeking peace.

Al Azhar is against terrorism, extremism, injustice and aggression, he said, pointing out that Al Azhar was among the religious institutions that quickly condemned the September 11 attacks on the United States and called for launching a probe into the despicable crimes.

Tantawi called on the Iraqis to close ranks and put their disagreements aside to achieve security and stability for their country.

The grand Sheikh said cultures had no home, stressing the importance of making use of the cultures of other countries now that the world had become one small village.

He pointed out that Al Azhar formed a committee for dialogue to talk with those who sought to establish channels of communication.

He rejected the clash of civilizations theory, affirming that civilizations should cooperate, not to clash. The grand Sheikh described relations between Al Azhar and France as cultural, saying many of Al Azhar scholars, including the late head of Al Azhar Sheikh Abdel Halim Mahmoud, had studied in France.

On his part, the French foreign minister appreciated Al Azhar's role in teaching moderate Islam, pointing out that his visit to Al Azhar reflected appreciation for this prestigious institution which championed moderation and propagated I rapprochement among peoples and civilizations.

It He appreciated Al Azhar's efforts during the crisis of the French hostages in Iraq, pointing out that Islam was the second religion in France where four million Muslims were free to observe Islamic teachings.

The French minister called on the grand Sheikh to cooperate on training French preachers at Al Azhar through coordination between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

Previous Stories:
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  Tantawi says Jihad meant for self-defence   (8/23/2005)
  Egyptian Al-Azhar university to open affiliate in Indonesia   (8/19/1999)

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