Al-Sudani renews invitation to the Grand Imam to visit Iraq

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders welcomes future visit to Iraq

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, received on Monday Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, the Prime Minister of Iraq, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, and advisors. The meeting discussed potential ways to enhance the relationship between Iraq and Al-Azhar and to extend an official invitation to His Eminence the Grand Imam to visit the Republic of Iraq.

During the meeting, the Grand Imam emphasized that Al-Azhar, its scholars, professors, and students, have been closely following the crisis in Iraq since its inception and share the suffering of the Iraqi people. Likewise, the Muslim Council of Elders is concerned about the welfare of the nation but is equally pleased to witness its developments and revival which can be attributed to the nature of the great people of Iraq and their trust in Allah.

The Grand Imam also affirmed that Iraq is represented in Al-Azhar through a distinguished group of Iraqi students who are given special attention. His Eminence expressed the readiness of Al-Azhar to provide all necessary support to Iraq, in terms of enhancing scientific and religious cooperation, as well as exchanging academic professors, researchers, and students.

For his part, the Iraqi Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the great efforts exerted by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, in spreading Islamic knowledge and promoting the values of peace, fraternity and coexistence. He stated that His Eminence is highly esteemed by the people of Iraq who are eagerly awaiting his visit to their nation. He added, "We renew our invitation to Your Eminence to visit our country, and eagerly await this visit with great enthusiasm, for it has been delayed for a long time." Al-Sudani also pointed out that the people of Iraq are united, and the current government likewise embraces all the components of Iraqi society.

The Iraqi Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Grand Imam for the visit of the delegation of the Muslim Council of Elders and Al-Azhar to Iraq, noting that the visit was highly appreciated by all components of Iraqi society.

The Grand Imam expressed his appreciation to the invitation of the Prime Minister of Iraq with his intention to accept it in the near future. He asserted his eagerness to communicate with all facets of Iraqi society while affirming Al-Azhar's pride in the relationship between its scholars and the scholars of Iraq. The Grand Imam communicated that Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders wished for Iraq to return to its former glory and for long and sustained prosperity after a period of difficulties. His Eminence prayed to Allah to bless the people of Iraq people with security and safety, and to grant the nation lasting stability and peace.

During the visit, the Prime Minister of Iraq was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Mr. Fuad Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Amin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mr. Atheer Al-Ghurairi, Minister of Trade, Mr. Ali Fadel Zreig, Minister of Electricity, Mr. Ihsan Al-Awadi, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Ahmed Naif Rashid Al-Dulaimi, the Iraqi Ambassador to Egypt, and Dr. Kazem Al-Hasani, Advisor to the Prime Minister.