Al-Azhar Mosque. Courtesy of Al-Azhar website.
The move follows Iran’s recent missile strike on the US Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar.
Al-Azhar said the clashing of weapons does not end wars or extinguish their flames, and that only dialogue leading to just and lasting peace can end conflicts and wars sparked by trivial reasons or regional agendas.
Al-Azhar further voiced its support for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting and just peace, urging an immediate end to hostilities.
Furthermore, it called for enabling the peoples of developing nations to enjoy a dignified life, just as other nations that have chosen to end bloodshed and conflict now do.
In its message to the Islamic world, Al-Azhar urged the revival and steadfast adherence to the principle of "just peace" to resolve internal disputes and conflicts.
“Yes to peace—for every living being on this Earth. No to war—not even upon its animals or insects.” Al-Azhar concluded its statement.
The Iranian strike on Al-Udeid — the largest US military base in the Middle East — took place on Monday, in what Tehran described as retaliation for American airstrikes on nuclear sites in Iran. The US base had been evacuated as a precaution ahead of the attack.
The Iranian attack on Al-Ubeid triggered temporary airspace closures in Qatar and Arab Gulf states, but flights were resumed shortly after.
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