VZCZCXRO6440
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #1061 1621350
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 111350Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2818
RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS CAIRO 001061 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND NEA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KIRF EG
SUBJECT:  REACTION TO THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH FROM RELIGIOUS LEADERS 
AND FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT ISLAMIC RESEARCH COUNCIL 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Reaction from the religious leadership in Egypt to 
the President's June 4 speech has been positive and reflects 
 
comments from various sectors of Egyptian society regarding their 
wish to see tangible outcomes.  END SUMMARY 
¶2. (U) The Islamic Research Council (IRC) of the Al-Azhar Mosque 
issued a statement praising the speech (Egyptian State Information 
Service translation of the full text follows in para 4) and calling 
for "tangible deeds."  Members of the IRC echoed that statement in 
the Egyptian media.  On the local El-Beit Betak television talk 
show, Egyptian Grand Mufti Sheikh Ali Gomaa repeated that the speech 
hailed a "new era" in relations with the west based on the same 
"principles of respect and partnership."  He called on President 
Obama to continue to work to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian 
conflict and other conflicts in the region.  The Egyptian English 
daily, The Daily News, reported that President of Al-Azhar 
University, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, described the speech as "building a 
bridge of positive dialogue between different civilizations and 
cultures that will benefit all humans and spread the concepts of 
peace, justice and mutual respect." 
¶3. (U) Background:  The IRC was established in 1961 with the purpose 
of being the "supreme arbitrator of Islamic legal and cultural 
discourse" and speaks in the name of Al-Azhar.  It is made up of 50 
senior Muslim scholars from various Muslim countries and is headed 
by the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Mohammad Syed Tantawi. Other 
notable member Scholars include: Dr Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzoq, the 
Egyptian Minister of Endowment and Islamic affairs; Sheikh Ali 
Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt; and Dr Ahmad El Tayyib, the Rector 
of Al Azhar University. 
¶4. (U) Begin Text: 
Statement by the Islamic Research Council (IRC) of Al-Azhar Mosque 
on the Occasion of Obama's Speech to Muslim World. 
On the occasion of President Barack Obama's historic visit to Egypt 
and his speech to the Muslim World which he gave at Cairo 
University, the Members of the Islamic Research Council (IRC) 
welcome President Obama's visit as a clear gesture of goodwill and 
respect. This gesture is particularly welcome given the fact that 
President Obama chose Egypt as the venue of his speech to the Muslim 
World in recognition for its rich legacy and profound influence on 
the Islamic World by virtue of its being the seat of the most 
respected and influential Sunni institution of Islamic scholarship 
and education in the world; Al Azhar. 
The Members of the IRC view President Obama's speech as indicative 
of a promising new era in relations between America and the Arab and 
the Muslim worlds, and that paves the way for real dialogue among 
civilizations, rather than conflict, which some may want us to 
believe is unavoidable. 
The Members commend President Obama for his deep appreciation for 
the Islamic faith and the contributions of Islamic civilization over 
the centuries in shaping the world for the better, and for his 
assertion that America seeks greater engagement and a true 
partnership with the Muslim world based upon mutual respect. 
The Members wish to assert that they share with President Obama the 
goal of a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East, 
particularly between Palestine and Israel, and strongly call upon 
him to make progress towards achieving such a peace in the region. 
They also welcome his initiative to end the occupation of Iraq and 
withdraw US forces. The Members stress that a similar initiative 
should be made in Afghanistan. 
The Members assure the American people that the concerns of most 
Muslims are identical to those of most Americans, and that they have 
a common desire to lead a peaceful and dignified life. They both 
face a common threat posed by extremism and terrorism, which people 
of all religions reject. 
On their part, the Members of the IRC affirm that throughout its 
long history, Al-Azhar has provided equal educational opportunities 
for men and women, and has been devoted to spreading a balanced 
vision of Islam based on the various recognized schools of Islamic 
law and orthodox theology infused with spiritual depth. 
Students at Al-Azhar are, and have been taught not only how to 
master grammar, logic, and law, but they have also been given 
instruction in Islamic ethics and spirituality as well, which are 
considered integral parts of effective religious leadership, and the 
development of a culture of dialogue and tolerance. Combined with an 
understanding of contemporary issues, this holistic approach to 
religious education continues to draw students from all over the 
world to study at Al-Azhar. These students return to their countries 
with not only knowledge, but also the example of a balanced 
religiosity that, while remaining true to its principles, is able to 
address the needs of Muslim society in a changing world. 
Al-Azhar has long been active in reaching out to other religious 
communities, both within the Islamic world, and at the international 
level. This spirit of dialogue can be found in the statements and 
fatwas of Al-Azhar's Sheikhs, as well as in the activities of its 
scholars. 
The Members of the IRC affirm that there is a great and vast field 
in which both the Muslim world and the United States can act 
together, including rejecting terror, defending and promoting the 
moral values of compassion and justice, spreading goodwill and 
bridging misunderstandings, and overcoming misconceptions and 
stereotypes among all peoples of the world. 
The Members recognize the necessity of translating these shared 
commitments into tangible deeds and programs to achieve these noble 
goals. 
H.E. Dr. Mohamed El-Sayed El-Tantawy 
Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar 
President of the Islamic Research Council 
 
End Text.