Sisi hails as pivotal Azhar role in facing terrorism, extremism

CAIRO - 22 August 2017: President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi on Tuesday hailed as pivotal the role of Al Azhar in facing terror and extremism.

Meeting with Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb, the president labeled Al Azhar as the beacon of moderate Islamic thoughts.

Sisi stressed the importance of continuing the efforts aiming at developing the institutional and scientific capabilities of Al Azhar in order to be able to face terrorism and extremism, Presidency Spokesman Alaa Youssef said.

The spokesman noted that the meeting was held to review Al Azhar's continued efforts to renew the religious discourse.

During the meeting, the Grand Imam briefed the president on the efforts of Al Azhar's scholars to spread the true teachings of religion and counter extremist ideology, Youssef concluded.