Sheikh of Al-Azhar warns of west, Israel's divisive plots

Grand Sheikh of Egypt's Al-Azhar University and Mosque Ahmed al-Tayeb cautioned the Muslim community against the West and the Zionist regime of Israel's efforts to stir rifts among Muslim nations. Speaking at a meeting with Iran's Undersecretary General for International Affairs and Secretary of Iran's Scientific Committee Mohammad Hossein Tabarraeyan, the Sheikh of al-Azhar said the West and Israel see their survival in provoking sectarian and ethnic rifts and strife. "It is clear that the Zionist regime (of Israel) can survive through nothing but division and discord in the Muslim and Arab community," Tayeb underscored. He further expressed the hope that Muslim nations' efforts towards unity would yield fruit and end conflicts and challenges among Islamic sects. In relevant remarks in February, Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei stressed that unity is an overriding need for Muslim nations, and urged Muslim states to meet the opportunities created by the Islamic Awakening. Regional developments and revolutions, repeated withdrawals of the US and hegemonic powers and the increasing weakness of the Israeli regime are unique opportunities for Muslim nations which should be utilized completely, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, addressing high-ranking Iranian officials, participants in the 25th International Islamic Unity Conference and ambassadors of Muslim countries in Tehran.