France commends Al-Azhar's role in countering extremism

PARIS, May 24 (KUNA) -- French President Francois Hollande has on Tuesday applauded the significant efforts the Cairo-based Al-Azhar University is making in fighting extremism worldwide.
In a press statement following a meeting between President Hollande and the visiting Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, the French Presidency said that President Hollande has discussed with Al-Tayyeb the latest developments in the Middle East and the global efforts to fight extremist and terrorist groups.
During the meeting, the French President lauded the important role played by Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's most prestigious seat of religious learning, in confronting extremism.
He has also pointed to the commitments made by French Muslim leaders to stand up against those who promote radical and extremist ideologies.
For his part, Al-Tayyeb reiterated Al-Azhar's condemnation of Paris terror attacks.
"It is wrong to blame Islam for acts just because its perpetrators have hoisted Islamic slogans," he stressed.
He underlined that Al-Azhar is ready to send moderate Muslim scholars to France and other European countries to counter the extremist ideas of the so-called Islamic State group. (end) mmb.ibi