CAIRO: Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Egypt's al-Azhar – the Sunni Islamic world's leading institution – on Tuesday, saying it supports the spread of moderate Islam in the Middle East. “Egypt and Turkey look forward to the spread of moderate Islam, particularly since both countries have historically rejected extremism,” Erdogan said after meeting with al-Azhar's Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb. The Turkish PM was reported to have praised the institution's efforts to spread a moderate message of Islam. He also added that 650 Turkish students study at al-Azhar. “Turkey wants to spread the moderate message and maintain its role as a model of moderate Islam,” he added. Ergodan invited al-Tayeb to visit Turkey and participate in international Islamic conferences, and praised the institution's document designed to end controversy in Egypt. He also praised the January 25 Revolution and called on all Egyptians to maintain the goals and achievements of the popular uprising. The Turkish Prime Minister urged parties to increase cooperation between the Turkish and Egyptian Ministries of Religious Affairs and he suggested enhanced participation between al-Azhar University and Turkish universities. BM
