Al-Azhar’s grand imam in Kazakhstan for interfaith conference

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb will deliver a speech at the main session of the congress in Nur-Sultan and meet Pope Francis, who is also in attendance. (Reuters)

• Al-Tayyeb stated Al-Azhar’s readiness to support Kazakhstan with scholarships and training for imams
• Al-Tayyeb will deliver a speech at the main session of the congress

CAIRO: The grand imam at Egypt’s top religious authority has traveled to Kazakhstan to lead a delegation at an interfaith conference of the world’s religious leaders.
Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, who is the most senior cleric at Al-Azhar and chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, met President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in the capital Nur-Sultan as part of preparations for the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
The pair discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Kazakhstan and Al-Azhar. Tokayev expressed his appreciation for the grand imam’s efforts to promote peace and tolerance, and said his country’s need for Al-Azhar grew every day.
Al-Tayyeb stated Al-Azhar’s readiness to support Kazakhstan with scholarships and training for imams.
As grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam’s oldest and foremost seat of learning, Al-Tayyeb will deliver a speech at the main session of the congress, which starts on Wednesday in Nur-Sultan. He will also meet Pope Francis, who is also in attendance.
Participants will discuss the role of religions in promoting spiritual and moral values in the modern world and coexistence between religions and cultures.
They will also discuss the contributions of religious and political leaders to the fight against extremism, radicalism and terrorism.
The grand imam will also visit the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, the largest in Kazakhstan and among the largest in Asia.