'Show the injustices': Grand Imam of Al Azhar calls on Arab media to rally behind Gaza

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The Grand Imam of Al Azhar has called on Arab journalists to focus on the war in Gaza and establish a joint media strategy to protect the truth and Arab identity.

Dr Ahmed El Tayeb, who is also chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, said Arab media had a role to play in showing the injustices in Gaza and how its people were being treated.

“Arab media should focus day and night on Gaza’s destruction and war and terrible violations that have been criticised by all people of the world for 19 months,” Dr El Tayeb said in keynote speech at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Tuesday.

“Arab media has the biggest role in disclosing and showing the injustices in Gaza and keeping the Palestinian cause at the front of nations' minds.”

He recalled tragedy of hundreds of Palestinian journalists who were either killed or injured.

“Over 200 journalists in Gaza are martyred and more are injured or have lost their homes and families. This deliberate targeting of journalists aims to silence the truth and to stop the reality of the horrific aggression in Gaza,” he said.

Dr El Tayeb said there was a change of stance on the Palestinian cause by many European countries, who were now standing up over what Gaza is facing.

He thanked Arab governments for their efforts to provide aid to Gazans.

“I also salute the free people of the world who consider what is happening as humanitarian crime that should stop immediately,” he said.

Dr El Tayeb underscored the vital role of media in addressing global challenges, promoting dialogue and supporting societal values.

“Arabs and Muslims have suffered from media damage in the West after being accused of terrorism and being unfair to women,” he said.

“We are still waiting for intensive media efforts to stand against Islamophobia.”

Dr El Tayeb said he had held discussions with the late Pope Francis and the Vatican to create a document about the ethics of artificial intelligence, to protect the interests of the public.

“The rapid development of AI should be regulated and surrounded with morality and ethical considerations, in order not to turn into a monster threatening humanity,” he said.

“The document was almost finalised and was about to announce but the Pope passed before we had finished. We are in communicant with Vatican to finish the project.”