Saudi Mufti Sheikh Abdel Aziz al Sheikh has lauded Al Azhar's positive stance in the service of Islam. 

He pointed to a recent Al Azhar statement, dismissing reports on the internationalization of Hajj and standing up to Iran's attempts to spoil the Hajj season.

In statements published in the Saudi newspaper "Riyadh", he praised the role played by Al Azhar in serving Islamic studies in and outside Egypt.

Sheikh Abdel Aziz made the remarks on the sidelines of his meeting here with a visiting delegation of Al Azhar scholars.

The Saudi religious figure stressed the Saudi scholars' keenness on cooperating with Al Azhar, which was established more than 1,000 years ago, noting that it is important to coordinate efforts against threats facing Muslim states.

On that score, the Saudi Mufti stated that relations between Egyptian and Saudi religious scholars are historical and longstanding, stressing that they represent a major power in the face of misleading and extremist thoughts.

Source: MENA