Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb expressed on Wednesday great confidence in the Armed Forces' ability to preserve security and fight violence and terrorism.

During a meeting with a delegation of cadets of the Command and Staff College, Sheikh Tayyeb said Al Azhar is stepping up efforts to fight extremist ideas via renewing the religious discourse and protecting youths so that they will not fall a prey to terrorist groups.

He unveiled the establishment of an academy for imam and scholar training as part of efforts to fight the spread of fanatic ideas, saying a decision in this regard will see daylight soon.

He also denounced attempts by what he called fame-seeking imams to defame Islam, saying they are only trying to undermine the Muslim nation via weakening al Azhar.

Source: MENA