Islam has no place for terrorists - Sunni leader

By Eric K. Amoh/ Bajin Pobia, GNA- In Cairo
Cairo (Egypt), May 10, GNA - Sheikh Muhammad Ahmed el-Tayyib, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, has condemned terrorists' attacks, saying terrorism has no place in the Islamic Religion.

He stated that all religions were instructed by God and its followers were obliged to love humanity, pursue peace and live by these tenets to promote sanity and cordiality among all peoples.

'Islam means peace and it should be observed as such,'Sheikh El-Tayyib emphasised this when he held discussions with 46 journalists from 22 African countries, at the headquarters of the Sunni Islamic Sect, in Egypt.

The journalists are in Egypt, at the invitation of the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development, to deliberate on the 'Role of the Media in the Future of Africa.'

Sheikh El-Tayyib, however, explained that recent upsurge of terrorists groups was a fourth generational warfare problem.

This, he said, was in bad taste because such violent and inhuman acts of killing innocent people and bringing hardships to families could not resolve the grievances of the perpetrators.

He said negotiations on clear cut disputes should always be approached in the interest of the majority of the people, and parties within the negotiation tables must adopt high level honesty and openness as well as exhaust all peaceful platforms in the interest of the people and the nations.

He emphasised that the Sunni Sect was determined to consolidate the teachings of Islam the way the prophet Mohammed taught his followers by teaching young people the Islamic faith and its benefits; and the necessity to live righteous lives.

They should, however, not to compel people to accept Islam, he said. 'Terrorism has no connection with Islam; the same way democracy was used to commit atrocities, so are some people committing crimes in the name of Islam'.

On the way forward for Africa's development, the religious leader urged the journalists to lead the way by refraining from negative publications, which were in the interest of the West, and focus on publications that would positively sell the continent.

They should also promote the creation of common platforms to encourage the countries to pursue issues of mutual interest for the achievement of common goals.

He said the media was the limelight of Africa and so it was vital that its influence was used to serve the interest of the continent.

Sheikh El-Tayyib questioned why Africa was wealthier done all the other continents in terms of natural resources but was the poorest in terms of per capita income.

He, therefore, emphasised the need for Africans to take centre-stage in World affairs and charged the journalists to use their platforms to promote peace on the continent by focusing on trade integration, welfare and good governance for total development.

He announced that his Administration had offered scholarships to about 6,323 students throughout the world to study in universities in Egypt.

He said Africa was one of the greatest beneficiaries of this gesture as it was allocated about 750 slots.

GNA