Al-Azhar renews call for mediation committee to end Yemen conflict

Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, said in a statement that an immediate committee should again be formed to mediate and ease regional tensions, especially in the Yemen crisis. He called for representatives of the elders and peacemakers of the Islamic world to take part in the committee so they could bring an end to disputes that have been fuelled among Muslim communities.

The committee should be formed quickly and take the necessary steps to calm the ongoing crises and conflicts in the region, in order to prevent threats to the security and stability of Arab and Islamic countries. El-Tayeb said the main aim of these efforts was to preserve the strength and sovereignty of Arab and Muslim nations, protect people’s lives, and safeguard the resources and interests of future generations.

The Al-Azhar chief also accepted the Saudi government’s claim that armed forces in Yemen had attacked the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. He strongly condemned the attacks and reiterated his firm opposition to any action that harms holy sites or threatens the security of Saudi Arabia and its pilgrims.