Egypt Daily News – Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that the celebration of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia represents the culmination of the efforts of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the United Nations to confront an “unreasonable and illogical” phenomenon.
This came in a speech by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar before the United Nations General Assembly, delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Osama Abdel Khalek, Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the UN, on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The Grand Imam expressed his deep appreciation for the “fair and courageous” positions of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, praising his words that demonstrated a profound understanding of Islam and its tolerant teachings.
He stated that such speeches counter Islamophobia and challenge “preconceived judgments” and false stereotypes propagated by the far right for populist political gains, emphasizing that they protect the world from succumbing to a deliberate distortion of Islam’s message.
He explained that the word “Islam” is derived from “peace” and reflects the values of mercy, love, tolerance, and coexistence that this religion promotes. He cited the Quranic verse: “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds,” affirming that it embodies the essence of Islam, which calls for brotherhood and justice among people, regardless of their colors or beliefs.
The Grand Imam pointed out that history testifies to Islam’s tolerance, as Muslims have lived for centuries alongside followers of other religions in peace and cooperation, referring to the Quranic verse: “There is no compulsion in religion.”
He explained that Islamophobia, or the “irrational fear of Islam,” results from ignorance about the true nature of this religion and deliberate attempts to distort its principles of peace. He criticized media campaigns and far-right rhetoric that portray Islam as a religion of violence and extremism, describing this as “one of the greatest lies in contemporary history,” based on misinterpretations and the exploitation of the actions of deviant groups that have nothing to do with Islam.
The Grand Imam called for addressing global challenges such as wars, hatred, and intolerance by building bridges of understanding and lighting the candles of wisdom to dispel the darkness of stereotypes. He described interfaith dialogue as a “fundamental necessity” for saving humanity from ignorance, calling for binding legislation and awareness campaigns to instill tolerance and promote mutual respect to counter hate speech spread through media and social media platforms.
He emphasized that Islam views religious and cultural diversity as a divine decree, citing the Quranic verse: “And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community.” He considered the fight against Islamophobia a battle for every person who believes in justice.
He highlighted the role of Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders in warning the world about this phenomenon, pointing to the Document on Human Fraternity, which he signed with Pope Francis in 2019 as a step to strengthen dialogue between East and West.
