Dubai: The Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar Dr Ahmed Al Tayyeb won the Islamic Personality prize of the 17th session of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for his service to Islam, the Holy Quran, and humanity.
Chairman of the Award's organising committee Ibrahim Bu Melha made the announcement on Monday afternoon at the Award's headquarters, Twar-2 Centre, according to the local media reports.
"Al Tayyeb — born in Luxor of the Upper Egypt in 1946 — has been named for the Dh1 million prize in appreciation of his tireless activities for the Arab and Islamic worlds", Khaleej Times quoted the hairman of the award committee Ibrahim Bu Melha as saying.
Selected from several short-listed candidates, Al Tayyeb will fly to Dubai in a special airplane, and is expected to receive the prize at the concluding ceremony on Ramadan 20 corresponding to July 29, at 9.30pm at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. Head of the Media Unit Ahmed Al Zahid said the award has a list of Muslim Arab and Non-Arab personalities.
"The activities and services of the dignitaries listed are discussed, and hence a candidate is picked up either by agreement or voting."
Al Tayyeb had a PhD in Islamic philosophy from the Paris-Sorbonne University where he mastered the French language. Al Tayyeb's ancestors were Sufi and he has expressed support for a global Sufi league.
Late in April this year, Al Tayyeb won the Cultural Personality of the Year Award of the 7th edition of the Shaikh Zayed Book Award.
Bu Melha, who is also Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said the Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar, who has worked in the UAE University, was first appointed as Grand Mufti of Egypt, then as President of Al Azhar University, and finally as Grand Imam of Al Azhar since 2010.
"Sheikh Al Tayyeb, considered a major reference for Muslims worldwide, has always been promoting tolerance concepts of Islam and affirming peaceful coexistence among all nations."
Bu Melha explained that Al Azhar has provided a variety of great services to all Muslim countries, including education and accommodation. "Some of the students who were educated in Al Azhar have later become presidents and even senior officials in their countries."
"I still remember when Al Azhar sent us a group of elite teachers who instructed us at the religious Institute in Dubai."
Several scholars, scientists, presidents and institutions have won the Islamic Personality Prize over the past 16 sessions. The first winner was the Late Sheikh Mohammed Metwally Al Shaarawy of Egypt in 1997 while popular American scholar Dr Sheikh Yusuf Estes was the last winner in 2012.
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