There is religious coordination between the high level Shiite institution Marja’ of Najaf in Iraq and the supreme Sunni institution of al-Azhar to combat terrorism, said Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab during a press conference with the Iraqi President Heidar al-Abadi Sunday.
“There is a need to coordinate between Najaf and al-Azhar to rectify the concepts of the religion" Mahlab said before the start of the meeting between al-Abadi and Ahmed al-Tayeb.
On Monday Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi discussed with Sheikh Al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayeb, the subject of convergence and the rejection of extremism among the Muslim masses and cooperation in the fight against terrorism via moderate religious institutions.
al-Abadi, during the meeting, reviewed developments in the region and the situation in Iraq and ways to strengthen religious cooperation with the Al-Azhar to counter extremist ideology and spread tolerance of Islam and attempts to deal with the discord among Muslims on sectarian or political claims.
Sheikh Al-Azhar meanwhile confirmed Azhar's support for the unity of the Iraqi people and the unification of efforts to deal with terrorist organisations that harmed Islam and Muslims by taking religion as a cover for its terrorist acts that violated laws of the Islamic religion tolerant.
Al-Azhar is scheduled to issue a formal statement at the conclusion of the joint talks, including what has been agreed upon to deal with the thought of extremist and terrorist organisations as well as the role of Al-Azhar scholars to spread the tolerance of Islam. A-Abadi will also deliver a statement in this regard.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister, Khaled al-Obeidi and culture minister, Firiad Raundozi.
al-Abadi arrived in Cairo Sunday morning on an official visit and held talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab.
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