Minister of Endowments Meets Sheikh of Al-Azhar in Cairo

Oman and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Stress Importance of Unity and Joint Islamic Action

Cairo: His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, met today with His Eminence the Grand Imam, Professor Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, at Al-Azhar headquarters in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

During the meeting, His Eminence the Grand Imam welcomed His Excellency and his accompanying delegation, affirming the deep-rooted fraternal relations that unite the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Republic of Egypt across various fields. He stressed the importance of Islamic unity, joint action, and steadfast positions, calling for intensified cooperation and coordinated efforts to serve the causes of the Islamic nation and address contemporary challenges.

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Maamari stated that the meeting provided an important opportunity to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and enhance cooperation between Islamic institutions. He noted that such engagement contributes to achieving the shared strategic objectives of Islamic countries, preserving a unified vision grounded in Islamic legislative principles that promote harmony, moderation, and mutual understanding.

His Excellency affirmed his commitment to following up on developments related to the Islamic Dialogue Conference in its upcoming sessions, underscoring Oman’s continued support for initiatives that foster dialogue, coexistence, and unity within the Islamic world.

His Excellency also expressed his deep appreciation to His Eminence the Grand Imam for his interest in a number of scientific publications issued by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, highlighting the role of scholarly cooperation in enriching Islamic thought.

In a related context, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Maamari met with His Eminence Sheikh Professor Dr. Nazir Mohammed Ayyad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt, at the headquarters of Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah.

During the meeting, His Excellency emphasized the strong and longstanding ties between the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in the Sultanate of Oman and Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah. He stressed the importance of exchanging expertise in the fields of issuing and regulating fatwas, and of addressing the negative effects of fatwas lacking institutional and scholarly credibility. He also expressed his keenness to enhance constructive cooperation and integrate efforts to regulate fatwa issuance and strengthen professional performance in this vital field.

For his part, His Eminence the Grand Mufti affirmed the deep fraternal relations linking the two brotherly countries in the areas of fatwa and Islamic affairs, noting that cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman in this field has extended over several decades. He expressed his aspiration to further strengthen joint collaboration in the future.

During the meeting, His Eminence presented an overview of the role of Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah in establishing fatwas based on sound Sharia principles, employing artificial intelligence technologies, and promoting scientific and academic cooperation related to the history and development of fatwa issuance in Egypt. He also highlighted the challenges posed by fatwas disseminated through social media platforms and the risks arising from the absence of institutional oversight.

The meetings were held as part of His Excellency the Minister’s visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the 36th International Conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, currently underway in Cairo.