Mohammed stresses support to Al Azhar | Taylor Scott International

Mohammed stresses support to Al Azhar (Wam) / 30 April 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif, Dr Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayyeb, at the new headquarter of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award. During the meeting, Shaikh Mohammed welcomed and congratulated the Grand Imam of Al Azhar on the occasion of winning of the Cultural Personality of the Year Award of the seventh edition of the Shaikh Zayed Book Award. He also wished him success in his efforts to serve Islam and the Muslims, stressing UAE’s support for Al Azhar and its holy message in promoting the concept, culture and principles of moderate Islam as well as its openness to all religions, cultures and norms. Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, attended the meeting. Shaikh Mohammed highlighted the vital role Al Azhar plays in teaching Humanities and other Islamic specialisations in addition to Arabic, the language of the Holy Quran, adding that the Emiratis who have graduated from Al Azhar are now occupying senior positions in various government and private institutions in the country. For his part, Dr Al Tayyeb hailed the efforts of the UAE’s leadership and its keenness to build humanitarian, cultural and social bridges between the people of the UAE and other peoples, noting to the cultural and social diversity of the UAE community which represents a global model of co-existence among different cultures and religions. He also lauded the initiative of Shaikh Mohammed, the sponsor and founder of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, the most widely spread and valued award to young Quran memorisers. Among those who attended the meeting were Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Dr Hadef bin Jowan Al Dhahiri, Minister of Justice; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Court of His Highness The Ruler of Dubai; Ibrahim Mohammed Bumelha, Advisor to Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs; Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director- General of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD); and a number of officials and members of the delegation accompanying the Grand Imam of Al Azhar. — Taylor Scott International