Al-Azhar condemns Iran's unjustified attacks on neighboring and Gulf States

CAIRO – 17 March 2026: Al-Azhar strongly condemns Iran's continued unjustified attacks on its Gulf neighbors—namely the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Oman—as well as several other Arab and neighboring countries, including Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.

As a Muslim neighbor, Al-Azhar called upon Iran to take an immediate decision, dictated by Islam and Sharia, to cease its attacks on these brotherly Arab and Muslim countries unconditionally.

Al-Azhar emphasized the need to respect their sovereignty and refrain from any interference in their territories to protect the lives of innocent civilians who have no part in these conflicts and no stake in them whatsoever.

Al-Azhar affirmed that targeting residential areas, airports, hospitals, and energy facilities in countries that were never part of any conflict constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Such actions represent a blatant transgression of Islam's obligation to protect lives and property and to preserve human dignity.

Al-Azhar also welcomed the sincere efforts of the wise Egyptian leadership to halt all military operations across the region. It called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in stopping the war, prioritizing wisdom and dialogue, and preventing the conflict from escalating, to preserve the region's security and stability and protect innocent lives.

Al-Azhar expressed its deepest condolences and solidarity with the families of the martyrs and victims in the brotherly countries, praying to God Almighty to grant them His abundant mercy and to grant the injured a speedy recovery.