Hawzah News Agency- The statement in question, published on March 17 without the signature of Al-Azhar's grand imam or any authorized official, drew widespread condemnation for its anti-Iran content. Critics described the text as factually incorrect and provocative, sparking a wave of criticism from media outlets and religious scholars across the Muslim world.
Rasoul Bagheri, Secretary General of the Qademoun World Assembly, noted that rather than weakening Iran's standing, the strongly worded statement backfired, prompting a global backlash that ultimately forced the Egyptian institution into an embarrassing retreat.
"The statement was so inappropriate that it drew criticism from all quarters—including free-thinking Al-Azhar scholars, social activists, and other groups—to the extent that Al-Azhar was compelled to backtrack and remove the unsigned post from its Twitter page," Bagheri stated.
A Lesson in Scholarly Diplomacy
Bagheri emphasized that Al-Azhar's retreat, which he attributed to behind-the-scenes dialogue between the institution and scholars from the Islamic world, serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of sustained scholarly engagement and academic diplomacy.
He argued that such channels of communication—particularly those facilitated by Iranian figures alongside the Islamic Republic—must be expanded to prevent future misunderstandings and counter efforts aimed at sowing division within the Ummah.
"Now that Al-Azhar has removed this statement, it is appropriate for official institutions, scholars, and officials to view Al-Azhar's action with magnanimity, refrain from issuing harshly worded statements of their own, and take another step toward fostering unity," Bagheri added.
The Path Forward
Bagheri called on religious institutions across the Muslim world to prioritize dialogue over confrontation, describing the recent episode as proof that constructive engagement yields results. He stressed that the unity of the Islamic community remains a paramount goal, and that all parties must work collectively to uphold it.
The retraction by Al-Azhar, he concluded, represents an opportunity to reset the tone of inter-institutional relations and build bridges that will strengthen the Muslim world against its common adversaries.
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