[Al Ahram] The Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the latest statements by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan, in which he criticised Al-Azhar's Grand Imam, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Ahram Arabic website reported.The ministry, in a statement, anounced that Erdogan's views are an insult, not only to Egypt, but all Moslems worldwide.
In a speech at the University Development Foundation on Sunday in Rize province, Erdogan reportedly condemned what he described as a "military coup" in Egypt, stating that he was "disappointed" to see the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Al-Tayeb, side with the "coup" leaders.
"Perhaps this insult raises doubts regarding the motives of Turkish officials' continued attack on Egypt and its [national and political] figures after the 30 June revolution," the foreign ministry statement read.
Al-Azhar institution is one of the oldest Sunni global authorities.
The ministry has called on Islamic figures in Turkey and the rest of the world to "strongly condemn this insult, and to protect the status of Al-Azhar, which is considered a beacon of moderate and tolerant Islam."
