CAIRO – Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam, Ahmed El-Tayyeb congratulated President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the great Egyptian people on the occasion of the scheduled opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
He stated that this civilizational edifice reflects Egypt’s unique position in human civilization throughout the ages, and confirms that it was, still is, and will remain a beacon of heritage, culture, civilization, and humanity.
He commended the efforts of the Egyptian state to preserve heritage, enhance the value of belonging to the homeland, and instill beauty and refinement in the souls of the new generations.
In a statement issued Friday, he expressed his pride in the treasures of civilization, history, and unique human heritage that Egypt possesses, stressing the necessity of drawing feelings of pride from this ancient Egyptian who astonished the world with an exceptional civilization whose secrets in various arts remain difficult to fully comprehend and grasp, despite the stunning technical and technological progress achieved by humanity today.
On this scheduled ceremony, Al-Azhar reminds of what was stipulated in the final statement of its International Conference on Renewal and Reform of Islamic Thought and Civilization that the preservation of heritage and antiquities is a religious and humanitarian duty, and that Islam has called for the protection of signs of construction on Earth.
