His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, Prof. Ahmed al-Tayeb, received the internationally renowned intellectual Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, USA, at His Eminence’s home in al-Qurna, Luxor Governorate.
The meeting featured cordial discussions on key global developments, particularly the challenges facing the region. The Grand Imam expressed deep appreciation for Professor Sachs’ principled stances and his balanced, thoughtful writings. He highlighted Sachs’ fairness regarding Gaza and Palestine, noting that such positions reflect a wise understanding of the universal message of religions: to stand with the oppressed regardless of faith, gender, or ethnicity, and to foster coexistence rooted in equality, rights, and human dignity.
For his part, Professor Jeffrey Sachs expressed his great happiness and honor at meeting the Grand Imam and his appreciation for His Eminence’s courageous stances in promoting global peace and human fraternity. He affirmed that the voice of Imam al-Tayyeb represents the voice of truth and humanity, and that the world must listen carefully to his vision. He also expressed his pride in this visit to Egypt and Luxor, and his joy at visiting Al-Azhar Mosque, this leading scholarly beacon whose light and knowledge reaches all corners of the world.