Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Shaykh ‘Alī Jumu‘ah, Egyptian Muftī, stressed the fact that Muslims all over the world are required to seek unity regardless of their color, ideas, or doctrines. He also called everyone to make the issue of Islamic unity a national priority, and consider it a religious duty. He said, “The concept of tightening the gap between Sunnah and Shī‘ah does not mean that someone should convert his/her maddhab. It also does not mean that anyone should give up their ideas or beliefs. At the same time, it does not mean calling for maddhabs in countries other than their original ones, which could lead to disputes and fitnah.”

 

Jumu‘ah added that while people reject voices that call for fitnah and believe that these voices contradict all attempts for dialog, there is a strong need not to let such voices overpower wisdom and moderateness in order to show the real image of modern Islam.

 

During his meeting with the Iranian ambassador to Egypt, Dr. Jumu‘ah said that many Muslim and Azhar scholars mentioned that it is permitted for Muslims to benefit from fiqhī heritage, including that of other doctrines. He also explained that people should differentiate between certain tā’ifī attitudes promoted by some governments and foundations on one side, and wise, scientific revisions of these doctrines on the other.

 

On the other hand, Mujtabī Amānī, Iranian ambassador to Egypt, asserted that the Iranian religious foundation is keen to strengthen cooperation and dialog between Iran and Egypt in all fields, scientific and religious alike.