Al-Azhar Grand Imam Affirms Shia as Integral Part of Islamic Nation

Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb reaffirmed that Shia are brothers in faith and an essential part of the Islamic nation, stressing that they do not require declarations or documents to confirm their place within Islam. He said the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims are rooted in thought and interpretation, not in the fundamentals of religion.

In an interview with Sawt Al-Azhar newspaper, Al-Tayeb explained that Al-Azhar launched the “Call of the People of the Qibla” to strengthen scholarly and intellectual unity among Muslim scholars. The initiative aims to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and closer relations among different Islamic schools of thought.

Al-Tayeb also revealed preparations for the second round of the Islamic-Islamic Dialogue Conference, scheduled to be held in Cairo in April. He expressed optimism about future progress in inter-Muslim dialogue, particularly in the Arab world, emphasizing that unity, mutual respect, and the rejection of hatred are essential to confronting division and preserving the cohesion of the Muslim community.