BPIP Lead Adviser Megawati Meets with Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh
BPIP Lead Adviser Megawati Soekarnoputri receives Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar, in the Cabinet Secretarys Meeting Room, Building III of the Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, Thursday (3/5). (Photo by: Nia/Public Relations Division).
Lead Adviser of the Agency for the Implementation of State Ideology of Pancasila (BPIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday (3/5) at Building III of the Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta received Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Prof. Dr. Ahmed Muhammad el-Tayeb.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Megawati expressed her gratitude to Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh for the visit. She added that several issues were discussed in the meeting, some of which are moderate Islam and tolerance. “Because we are all aware that Egypts Al-Azhar University is indeed a big name university, not only for education but also for the realms of Islam,” Megawati said.
Apart from the issue of moderate Islam, some cooperation and issues on the rights of women were also discussed, the latter of which Al-Azhar is also fighting for, Megawati said.
“He also explained that women’s rights in Egypt are the same as those of in our constitution. Men and women as citizens have equal rights,” Megawati said, adding that she also received an invitation from Grand Sheikh Al-Azhar to attend an international conference on women’s issues.
On the occasion, Megawati admitted she is happy to learn that Egypt and also Al-Azhar University agree to keep fighting for the Palestinian rights. “The visit to the BPIP is of particular importance,” Megawati said.
In the meantime, the Grand Sheikh praised the Pancasila Ideology and hopes that a similar agency like the BPIP can be adopted in other countries experiencing conflicts due to differences in ideology.
Also present in the meeting were Try Sutrisno (Member), Mahfud M.D. (Member), Andreas Anangguru Yewangoe (Member), Wisnu Bawa Tenaya (Member), Sudhamek (Member), Head of BPIP Yudi Latif and President’s Special Envoy to the Middle East and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Alwi Shihab. (DNA/ES) (MUR/EP/YM/Naster).
