In the Name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful
Dear Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb
Head of the great Al-Azhar University
Greetings,
First of all I would like to extend my gratitude for your valuable and valiant stances regarding inviting the representatives of the Islamic sects to take part in the intentional conference of “Fighting against Terrorism and Extremism” which was held in the great Al-Azhar University, as it was a conference in which the presentation of a correct interpretation of the concepts of “faith”, “unbelief”, and “Jihad” was emphasized.
The positive atmosphere of this conference, your comprehensive speech which included invaluable guidance, and the announcement that was made regarding the holding of a conference called “Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Issue of Palestine” in the near future were all welcomed by the Iranian scholars and the Islamist groups which strive to consolidate the honor and the grandeur of Islam.
A week before your conference in Al-Azhar, we also had the chance, for which we thank Allah, to hold a very important conference here in the Islamic seminary in Qom, which was welcomed by an extensive participation of scholars from eighty countries, and in which over seven hundred papers and speeches were presented, some of which are about to be published and will be sent to you. It is worth mentioning that nearly sixty percent of the participants of this conference where Sunnite scholars. All of the proceedings of this conference where based on the unity of Muslims and respecting their sanctities and, we thank Allah, that all of these proceedings were followed without any problems.
Therefore, due to your great and valuable standing in the world of Islam, if both of us stand against the extremist movements in both sects, it will, indeed, help to create a favorable atmosphere of practical solidarity to create a bright future for all of the Muslims.
Therefore, considering the great standing of Egypt and the great and honorable achievements of this country, we believe that it is suitable, in the current conditions, that the scholars of the great Al-Azhar University led by your wise headship follow and complete the mission of fighting Takfirism, which you began, until desirable outcomes are achieved.
May you succeed for Islam and Muslims;
Qom. Naser Makarem Shirazi.
Rabii’e Al Awal 5th; 1436 AH.
