Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb asserted on Monday that he is against shedding of any Arab blood, either a Muslim or non-Muslim.

In statements to MENA and Kuwaiti Alanba Newspaper, he supports the prevention of any gathering that may lead to confrontation or fighting or bloodshed.

Tayyeb also underlined the importance of renewing religious discourse but said that we need also to renew media and culture discourses.

The attack on Azhar aims to fight the institution that is considered a soft power for Muslims, Arabs and Egypt, he further said.

He stressed that no extremist leaders was graduated from Azhar in the past 1,000 years, adding that this comes because Azhar accepts all doctrines.

He also added that Islam did not spread by sword and that people around the world welcomed Islam that saved them from injustice.

Meanwhile, he said that Pope Francis appreciates Islam and Muslims and that is the reason behind resuming dialogue and the exchange of visits between Al Azhar and the Vatican.

In the meantime, Tayyeb thanked Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed al Sabah for honoring him earlier on Monday.

Source: MENA