Grand Imam of al-Azhar Mosque, Ahmed al-Tayeb, has met with Rashid Ben Othman al-Zahrani, the Director of Saudia Arabia’s Islamic Academy, to discuss Muslim unity. Al-Zahrani celebrated al-Azhar’s efforts in championing Islam and Muslim issues. The Saudi sheikh described al-Azhar as "a proud citadel, where Muslims from across the world seek refuge," adding that fatwas and statements issued by the Egyptian institution were “valued by Sunnis everywhere.” The Saudi cleric reaffirmed his institution’s commitment to spreading “moderate Islam” all over the world. Grand Imam al-Tayed meanwhile warned about the need to “protect the Ummah from being torn apart and scattered.”