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3/14/2023

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to Prime Minister of Denmark: Freedom of expression for Muslims does not extend to offending religious symbols

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has met the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen to discuss potential cooperation and various prominent global matters.  


During the meeting, the Grand Imam remarked that the voice of religion, which some are attempting to silence and remove from people's lives, is desperately needed in today's society. The Grand Imam added that by exaggerating the materialistic vision and glorifying human needs and the pursuit of their pleasure, the world only gained more wars, conflicts, and carnage. 


His Eminence clarified that many in the West exploit freedoms to impose Western ideals and practices on Eastern and Arab cultures. This includes attempts to legitimize homosexuality in the Arab world and the Middle East through the normalization of the practice and behaviors in the media. This, he argued, is a blow to our human rights, as well as to children's rights and the rights of families. He added that this new form of intellectual and cultural colonialism needs to cease to exist since it goes against human instinct, religious doctrine, and the natural order of the universe.


His Eminence declared that Muslims and people from the Middle East are defined by their adherence to moral and religious principles. He also pointed out that freedom of speech cannot be used to harm others or insult their sanctities and religious symbols. He also pointed to the need to help individuals overcome hardships and suffering, and we should treat Easterners with the same respect that we give Westerners because they too deserve to live honorable lives.


His Eminence also discussed the risks of illegal immigration, emphasizing that in order to find a solution to this issue, we must first understand what drives young individuals to seek asylum from their home nations and into an uncertain future. He advised that we must all pay attention to Africa, the continent of wealth and riches, whose resources have long been plundered, while also lending a helping hand to its people by encouraging them to rise and seek employment.


For her part, the Danish Prime Minister expressed her gratitude for the efforts made by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to promote the values of human fraternity, peace, and coexistence among people. Moreover, she emphasized the importance her nation places on fostering dialogue between the East and West and strengthening relations between the Eastern and Western Peoples, all of which are compatible with the Grand Imam's teachings as well as an eagerness to uphold the right to diversity. She said that Egypt is a crucial ally that actively engages in the fight against illegal migration, which calls for coordinated measures to produce effective outcomes on the ground.

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