Grand Imam of Al Azhar congratulates Egyptians on opening of GEM

CAIRO – 31 October 2025: Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and to the great Egyptian people on the occasion of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).

This monumental landmark embodies Egypt’s unique role in the history of human civilization and reaffirms that Egypt has always been, and will remain- God willing- a beacon of heritage, culture, civilization, and humanity. 

The Sheikh Al Azhar also commended the efforts of the Egyptian state in preserving national heritage, strengthening identity, and cultivating a deep appreciation for beauty and refined taste among the new generations, according to Al Azhar statement on Friday.

Sheikh Al Tayeb also expresses his deep pride in Egypt’s vast civilizational and historical legacy, as well as its exceptional human heritage. He underscored the importance of drawing inspiration from the ancient Egyptians, who amazed the world with a civilization whose mysteries in art and science continue to intrigue humankind, despite the remarkable technological progress of the modern era.

On this auspicious occasion, Al-Azhar recalled the declaration issued at its World Conference on Renewal in Islamic Thought, affirming that preserving heritage and antiquities is both a religious and human duty, the statement added.

Islam calls for the protection of all manifestations of development on earth, recognizing antiquities as a cultural legacy that embodies the history of nations and civilizations. It is therefore impermissible to damage or alter them, and they must instead be safeguarded as enduring witnesses to the heritage, history, and journey of humanity, Al Azhar said.

In one of the most defining moments in the history of cultural cooperation between Egypt and Japan, the world now awaits the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum on November 1, a monumental landmark set to become one of the largest museums on Earth and a new global icon of human civilization.

For more than two decades, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been a cornerstone partner in transforming this dream into reality, a symbol of collaboration and mutual understanding between nations. In an exclusive conversation with Ebisawa Yu, JICA’s Chief Representative in Egypt, he shared insights into the museum’s remarkable journey, the pride of seeing it completed, and the depth of the Egyptian-Japanese partnership that combined Japan’s advanced expertise with Egypt’s creative vision to present the world with a masterpiece that bridges the genius of the past with the spirit of the present.