Grand Imam of Al-Azhar calls for a unified Islamic stance to pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza and expresses appreciation for the humanitarian efforts by the Islamic world.

President-elect of Indonesia: We are ready to receive the injured from Gaza for treatment and to host them until they can return to their homeland

President-elect of Indonesia: The voice of Al-Azhar reflects the pains of the Islamic nations regarding the Gaza tragedy

President-elect of Indonesia welcomes Indonesia's hosting of the Muslim Council of Elders' initiative "Religions for Development and Peace.

General Prabowo Subianto, the President-elect of Indonesia and current Minister of Defense has received His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, to discuss joint cooperation between Al-Azhar and Indonesia and ways to intensify international efforts to stop the aggression on Gaza.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Grand Imam congratulated General Prabowo Subianto on his victory in the Indonesian presidential elections, praying for his success and guidance in leading his country and supporting the causes of his nation. He noted that Indonesia represents an exemplary Islamic model in development and progress while preserving religion and values in a multicultural society.

The Grand Imam emphasized the need for international efforts to immediately stop the aggression on Gaza, facilitate the entry of humanitarian and relief aid into the besieged region, and provide all necessary support to halt the bloodshed that has continued for more than eight months without any international, legal, humanitarian, or moral deterrent. He expressed Al-Azhar's appreciation for Indonesia's supportive stance on Palestinian rights, especially since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza, and for extending a helping hand to Gaza by organizing and sending relief convoys in cooperation with Al-Azhar.

The Grand Imam highlighted the necessity of a unified political and religious stance on the inhumane violations occurring in Gaza, urging political decision-makers to rally global political opinion and use political and legal tools alongside religious scholars in raising awareness of the daily massacres and atrocities faced by the Palestinian people.

The Indonesian Minister of Defense and President-elect reaffirmed his country's support for the Palestinian people and the immediate cessation of aggression on Gaza, asserting the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state. He expressed his appreciation for Egypt's diligent efforts in facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and shedding light on the suffering of innocent women, children, and the elderly.

The President-elect of Indonesia stated that Al-Azhar's voice represents the pains and sentiments of the Islamic nations regarding the events in Gaza. Therefore, Indonesia has collaborated with Al-Azhar in sending humanitarian and relief aid, indicating the country's readiness to receive injured individuals from Gaza, especially children and orphans, for treatment in Indonesian hospitals and to host them until they can return to their homes. He also noted plans to restore the Indonesian medical complex in Gaza once the situation improves and the aggression ceases.

The Grand Imam and the President-elect of Indonesia agreed to launch a global call to demand an end to the aggression on Gaza, urging all concerned parties to prioritize the interests of innocent children, women, and the elderly, and to continue taking all legal and international measures to find a decisive solution to stop the violations and ensure they do not recur, speeding up the implementation of the two-state solution.

The Grand Imam also noted that the Muslim Council of Elders is considering launching a global alliance of religious leaders, including those from Southeast Asia, titled "Religions for Development," aimed at leveraging religious teachings to support efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, especially in Southeast Asia and that Indonesia represents a model of development while maintaining religious values. The Indonesian Minister of Defense and President-elect welcomed the initiative, stating: "Indonesia is honored to host the Muslim Council of Elders' initiative 'Religions for Development and Peace,' proposed by His Eminence the Grand Imam, and we shall work to provide the appropriate environment for its success and benefit from it."

At the end of the meeting, the Grand Imam presented the Indonesian Minister of Defense and President-elect with the Al-Azhar Shield and the Muslim Council of Elders Medal to mark the 10th anniversary of the Council's establishment.