25 Mar 2010
MFA Press Release : Letter of Congratulations from PM Lee Hsien Loong to His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed El Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar
25 March 2010
Your Eminence,
On behalf of the Government of Singapore, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations on Your Eminence's appointment as the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.
For centuries, Al-Azhar has been an influential and prestigious international centre of Arabic literature and Islamic learning. Many generations of Singapore Muslim leaders have graduated from Al-Azhar University. I am confident that under Your Eminence's leadership, Al-Azhar will continue to flourish and maintain its preeminent position as a voice of reason and moderation in the Islamic world.
I had the honour to invite the late Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi to visit Singapore in 2006. Sheikh Tantawi's message of peace and tolerance resonated strongly with Singaporeans of all religions. I hope that you too will find time to visit Singapore as our guest.
Please accept my warmest wishes for Your Eminence's good health and Al-Azhar's continued success.
Yours sincerely,
Lee Hsien Loong
His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed El Tayyeb
Grand Imam
Al-Azhar
Arab Republic of Egypt