Al-Azhar Sheikh Opposes Takfir
The Sheikh of Egypt’s Al-Azhar underlined his opposition to Takfir (regarding Shia Muslims as infidels) saying he would say prayers behind Shia Muslims in Najaf.
Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb made the remark in a meeting with a visiting delegation from Iraq’s holy city of Najaf.
“If I travel to Iraq, I will go to Najaf and say my prayers behind Shi’ites there,” he said, according to Buratha news agency.
He added that in the present juncture, when there are plots to spread Fitna (sedition), Muslim unity is necessary in all countries.
“We are against satellite networks that describe Shia Muslims as infidels,” Al-Tayyeb said, adding that Takfir is unacceptable and there is no justification for it in the Holy Book and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He also rejected as baseless the allegations that Shia Muslims have a different Quran than that of other Muslims.
The Sunni sheikh pointed to the political exploitations of Shia-Sunni differences and said it is Al-Azhar’s responsibility to make efforts to uphold Islamic unity and solidarity.
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“If I travel to Iraq, I will go to Najaf and say my prayers behind Shi’ites there,” he said, according to Buratha news agency.
He added that in the present juncture, when there are plots to spread Fitna (sedition), Muslim unity is necessary in all countries.
“We are against satellite networks that describe Shia Muslims as infidels,” Al-Tayyeb said, adding that Takfir is unacceptable and there is no justification for it in the Holy Book and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He also rejected as baseless the allegations that Shia Muslims have a different Quran than that of other Muslims.
The Sunni sheikh pointed to the political exploitations of Shia-Sunni differences and said it is Al-Azhar’s responsibility to make efforts to uphold Islamic unity and solidarity.
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