His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received at the new headquarter of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyib. Sheikh Mohammed welcomed and congratulated the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar on the occasion of winning of the Cultural Personality of the Year Award of the 7th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award.
He also wished him success in his efforts to serve Islam and the Muslims, stressing UAE’s support for Al A-azhar and its holy message in promoting the concept, culture and principles of moderate Islam as well as its openness to all religions, cultures and norms. H.E. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, also attended the meeting.
The vice president highlighted the vital role Al-Azhar plays in teaching Humanities, other Islamic specialisations in addition to Arabic, the language of the Holy Quran, adding that the Emiratis who have graduated from Al-Azhar and are now occupying senior positions in various government and private institutions in the country.
For his part, Dr. Al-Tayyib hailed the efforts of the UAE’s leadership and its keenness to build humanitarian, cultural and social bridges between the people of the UAE and other peoples, noting to the cultural and social diversity of the UAE community which represents a global model of co-existence among different cultures and religions.
