Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received The Muslim Council of Elders in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, who is currently visiting the UAE, was asked to chair an urgent meeting of the council - the highest Sunni religious authority in the Muslim world.
While Sheikh Mohammed raised a number of issues and challenges facing the Islamic world, at the crux of the meeting was the need to discuss “stringent measures to end the Israeli occupation of Al Aqsa Mosque.”
Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the importance of co-ordination and co-operation between relevant authorities in the Arab and Islamic world in facing challenges, as reported by UAE press agency Wam.
Read more: Islamic scholars say Palestinians will not stand alone in their fight for access to Al Aqsa Mosque
Sheikh Mohammed went on to stress the need for the UAE to support efforts that serve Islam and Muslims, while noting they will continue to co-operate with Arab and Muslim countries to maintain Islam’s holy sites.
Dr. Al Tayeb praised the UAE’s efforts and its role in supporting Islam and Muslims, as well as its various initiatives, on several fronts, to promote Islamic values which encourage Muslims to follow paths of tolerance and moderation.
He also praised the UAE’s efforts to confront terrorism and extremism.