Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawky Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, recently held a significant meeting in Egypt. During their encounter, they discussed various aspects of promoting social harmony, countering extremism, and deepening cooperation between India and Egypt.
The meeting highlighted the importance of fostering inclusivity and pluralism in society. The Grand Mufti’s statement after the meeting emphasized the positive developments in India under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and expressed optimism for future cooperation. This article provides an overview of the meeting and its significance in strengthening relations between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi’s Visit and Shared Ancient Ties
During Prime Minister Modi’s first state visit to Egypt, he was warmly received by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. The visit marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, as Prime Minister Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Egypt since 1997. The Indian Ambassador to Egypt, Ajit Gupte, emphasized the deep-rooted ties between the two nations, which span over 4,000 years. Both countries share a rich history of cultural exchanges, with the Indian culture being widely appreciated by the Egyptian people.
Strengthening Social and Religious Harmony
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the Grand Mufti focused on strengthening social and religious harmony, countering extremism, and fostering inclusivity. Discussions revolved around the shared cultural and people-to-people relations between India and Egypt. The Grand Mufti acknowledged Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in promoting inclusivity and pluralism, recognizing the efforts made in India to bring about coexistence among diverse religious factions.
India’s Support for Egypt’s IT Excellence Center
Prime Minister Modi informed the Grand Mufti about India’s plan to establish a Center of Excellence in Information Technology at the Dar-al-Ifta, under the Ministry of Social Justice of Egypt. This initiative aims to enhance cooperation between the two nations in the field of technology and provide opportunities for skill development. The Grand Mufti expressed enthusiasm for this collaboration and looked forward to deepening the scope of cooperation in the future.
Importance of the Grand Mufti in the Islamic World
The Grand Mufti holds a significant position in the Islamic world as a respected religious authority. With his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence, he plays a crucial role in providing guidance on religious matters and promoting moderation and harmony within the Muslim community. As the head of Al Azhar University, one of the oldest and most prestigious Islamic institutions, the Grand Mufti’s influence extends beyond Egypt and has a global reach.
The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Grand Mufti of Egypt holds immense significance for India, as it provides a global platform to showcase its commitment to inclusivity & democratic value systems. Prime Minister Modi’s engagement with an esteemed religious figure like the Grand Mufti echoes past instances, such as Prime Minister Narasimha Rao meeting Ayatollah Ruhollah to assure the Islamic world & mounting pressure from the West that India’s “secular character” can not be impinged by “isolated” incidents.
The Grand Mufti’s statement highlighted the positive developments in India and expressed optimism for further cooperation. This meeting emphasizes India’s dedication to fostering coexistence and deepening relationships with influential religious leaders worldwide.
