Al Azhar supports peace through dialogue in Myanmar

The Muslim Council of Elders stressed that the crisis in Myanmar is complicated and requires intensive efforts to understand the root-causes of the problem, and called for the immediate ending of all violence and bloodshed, so all people can move forward to achieve peace in the country.
This came in a statement issued today by the Council at the end of the first round of dialogue between representatives of the different religions of the Republic of Myanmar, following a meeting held in Cairo over two days, sponsored and attended by Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, who is also Chairman of the Council.

The Council stressed in its statement that all parties agreed that a delegation of the Council should travel to Myanmar and conduct another round of discussions between all parties, in a bid to seek peace, according to UAE News Agency (WAM).

The statement pointed out that Al-Azhar and the Council are considering all ways to support cultural development in Myanmar, including the allocation of a number of scholarships for Muslim students to study at Al-Azhar University, and providing cultural courses for non-Muslims to study Arabic, in order to improve the cultural and scientific levels in 'Rakhine' region, which will contribute to creating a favourable environment that makes coexistence possible.

The Council stressed its condemnation of all acts of violence and bloodshed, and emphasised the sanctity of blood, whether it's the blood of Muslims or non-Muslims.

The statement noted what the council had done in uniting the State of Myanmar so all inhabitants can coexist in peace, was based on the Council’s responsibilities towards Muslims, seeking to solve their problems and interacting with their concerns, so that security and peace can be achieved.

The Council statement regarded Myanmar’s official response to its initiative as an encouraging step to reach the ultimate goal of participating in a peaceful dialogue and promoting peace in the country.

The Council also listened during the discussions to proposals that may contribute to reaching an end to the crisis. The council reviewed the most important problems faced by some groups within the population of Myanmar which, from their point of view, represents the major reasons that contributed to fuelling the crisis, including problems of coexistence, education, culture, and the economic situation, WAM reported

Source: BNA