Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta: It's Everyone's Responsibility to Renew Religious Discourse

Egyptian Grand Mufti Shawki Allam. Reuters
Egyptian Grand Mufti Shawki Allam. Reuters
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Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta: It's Everyone's Responsibility to Renew Religious Discourse

Egyptian Grand Mufti Shawki Allam. Reuters
Egyptian Grand Mufti Shawki Allam. Reuters

Egypt's Dar al-Ifta has asserted that the renewal of religious discourse isn’t restricted to religious institutions in the country, stressing that it is everyone's responsibility.

Egyptian Grand Mufti Shawki Allam highlighted Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi call to renew religious discourse in 2014, saying it was an invitation to address contemporary issues.

Sisi stressed during the celebration of the birth of the Prophet last month that awareness and a correct understanding of religion is among the top priorities of the current stage.

Also, during the conference dubbed “Al-Azhar International Conference on Renovation of Islamic Thought”, the Egyptian president warned that procrastination over the issue would give the opportunity to those who claim knowledge to brainwash youth into adopting wrong religious beliefs and misconceptions.

A wise religious speech nourishes good qualities in people unlike hate speeches that lead to crises and methodological misconceptions, Allam added.

He also underscored the scientific approach in implementing the concepts and texts of the Quran and the prophet’s teaching, calling for a rational understanding of Islam.



Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
TT

Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)

US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president on Thursday, saying in a statement that the army chief was the “right leader” for the country.

“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,” said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide “critical leadership” in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Aoun's election by Lebanese lawmakers ended a more than two-year vacancy and could mark a step towards lifting the country out of financial meltdown.

“We finally have a president,” Biden said later, at the end of a meeting on the response to major wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles.

He said he had spoken to Aoun by phone on Thursday for “20 minutes to half an hour,” describing the Lebanese leader as a “first-rate guy.”

Biden pledged to continue US support for Lebanon’s security forces, and for Lebanon’s recovery and reconstruction, the White House said in a readout of Biden’s call with Aoun.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aoun's election “a moment of historic opportunity,” which offered Lebanon a chance to “establish durable peace and stability.”

Aoun, who turned 61 on Friday, faces the difficult task of overseeing the fragile ceasefire with Israel in south Lebanon.

Separately, Biden spoke about the hostage talks between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We’re making some real progress,” he told reporters at the White House, adding that he had spoken with US negotiators earlier Thursday.

“I know hope springs eternal, but I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to have a prisoner exchange.”

Biden added: “Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get that done. We need to get it done.”