Egypt’s Al-Azhar Chief Calls for Urgent Mediation Committee to End Regional Conflicts
Egypt’s Al-Azhar chief has called on Arab and Islamic countries to give weight to brotherhood and religious and blood ties, and to turn to dialogue and prudence instead of violence. In a message to Arab and Islamic states, he stressed the immediate halt of all warlike measures that threaten civilians’ lives.
Ahmed al-Tayeb described mediation as the rapid establishment of a model committee of the wise and elders of the Islamic nation to resolve disputes and strengthen the power and sovereignty of Arab states. He also said he was fully prepared to support the initiative and expressed confidence that the parties could abandon conflict and reduce tensions.
The proposal comes as Egypt is working to send troops to Saudi Arabia to counter operations by Yemeni armed forces. Abdulmalik al-Ojari, a member of Yemen’s negotiating team, welcomed Al-Azhar’s proposal, calling it the voice of the conscience of the Islamic nation at a time when the views of the wise are not given much attention.
Al-Ojari said forming the committee would be a practical step that should be supported in order to bring an end to the ongoing conflicts in the region.
