Sheikh Tantawi stressed to dispatched imams that they should not meddle into other countries’ internal affairs.

By Adel Abdel Halim, IOL Correspondent

CAIRO, October 3, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Britain has welcomed an initiative by Al-Azhar, one of the highest seats of Sunni learning in the Muslim world, to send imams to the Muslim minority during the holy fasting month of Ramadan on the condition that they are moderate and eschew fanaticism, IslamOnline.net has learnt.

British Ambassador in Cairo Derek Plumbly welcomed the overture in a meeting held with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Mohammad Sayed Tantawi Sunday, October 2, at Al-Azhar Sheikhdom in the Egyptian capital, a source privy to the conversation told IOL.

Sheikh Tantawi has affirmed to the British envoy that Al-Azhar strictly instructs its imams and preachers not to meddle into the internal affairs and policies of foreign countries when they are on duty, the source added.

The veteran scholar told Plumbly that Al-Azhar imams were “ambassadors of Islam and Al-Azhar” in the West.

He further stressed that the mission of Al-Azhar imams abroad is focused on moderate preaching, the source added.

British Muslims launched in September the first ever National Advisory Council of Imams and Mosques to nurture home-grown imams and set standards for preachers.

The initiative was unveiled as part of a package of proposals from seven working groups set up by Home Secretary Charles Clarke following the London bombings in July to forge better inter-community links.

Waqfs Preachers

Within the same context, a source at the Egyptian Ministry of Waqfs (religious endowments) told IOL that the ministry will send only two preachers to London this Ramadan at a request from the British government.

The source said the number of imams is usually determined by the requesting country and used to be not less than five in past years.

The United States requested this year 22 imams and preachers to meet the religious needs of the Muslim minority during the dawn-to-dusk month, the source added.

The ministry has also sent two preachers to Afghanistan , the first time after US invasion of the Muslim country in 2001.

The ministry abides by “terms” laid out by requesting countries such as dispatched imams should be over 45, a condition set by the United States , the source added.

Imams in the West have come under the microscope after the London attacks with some European countries setting their own “set of conduct” and starting the deportation of what they call hate preachers.

London has issued guidelines of "unacceptable behavior" under which it can deport and ban the entry of imams and preachers accused of fomenting, justifying and/or glorifying acts of terror and violence.

The issue of imams training has also taken central stage in Europe .

The French government has put forward an initiative to educate newcomers about the history of secularism in France .

German Integration Minister Marieluise Beck has further released a 20-point strategy recommending that imams coming to Germany should have a knowledge of the German language and society.