Azhar beacon of moderate Islam

Palestinian Minister of Awqaf Sheikh Youssef Adees said that Egypt's Al Azhar and Ministry of Awqaf are the minaret of moderate Islam.

Egypt is the "artery of life" to the Palestinian people and maybe the whole Arab and Muslim worlds, Adees said in an interview with MENA correspondent in Ramallah Monday.

Al Azhar is the correct reference of moderate Islam and tolerant religion, he noted.

Al Azhar is the go-to institution to correct extremist ideologies that some try to falsely link with Islam, Adees said.

He rejected attempts to defame Al Azhar and its role in the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Adees said his Ministry is always in contact with Al Azhar, which is the first and last reference of Islam.

He greatly appreciated the role played by Al Azhar in support of the Palestinian people, Al Quds and the holy sites.

The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf will attend an Arab Islamic conference on Al Quds that will be held under the auspices of Al Azhar in February, he told MENA correspondent.

Adees said the Palestinian and Arab ministries of awqaf always act to outline a mechanism to protect Al Quds and the holy sites, particularly the Al Aqsa Mosque.

The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf will implement all recommendations of Al Azhar to serve the Arab and Muslim nations, he noted.

Adees also talked about cooperation between the ministries of awqaf here and in Cairo, stressing that the two bodies are focusing on renewing the religious discourse to better promote unity, tolerance and acceptance of the Other.

Asked about the Rafah terminal, Adees said the Palestinian government respects Egypt's decisions regarding the crossing because it has to do with Egypt's national security.

The Egyptian authorities tend to ease measures during the hajj season though, the minister noted.

The opening and closure of Rafah is an Egyptian domestic affair, Adees said.

Asked about the role of the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf in ending the Palestinian division, the minister said achieving reconciliation is not only a political demand, but a religious demand as well.

He also talked about a plan by his Ministry to fight terrorism and extremism.

The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf is willing to contribute to any Arab and Islamic efforts to fight terrorism through intellectual enlightenment, the minister noted.

Adees urged Arabs and Muslims to travel to Al Aqsa to protect the mosque against Israel's atrocities.

Israel wants to destroy and divide the mosque, which is in the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, he explained.

Al Aqsa is not owned by the Palestinian people alone, rather all Muslims, Adees said.

Source: MENA