Leader of Sunni Islam’s Top Body Al-Azhar University Says Antisemitism Is Justified By The Koran

From Memri:

Following are excerpts from an interview with Sheik of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayeb, which aired on Channel 1, Egyptian TV on October 25, 2013: Ahmad Al-Tayeb: 

A verse in the Koran explains the Muslims’ relations with the Jews and the polytheists. 

The second part of the verse describes the Muslims’ relations with the Christians, and the third part of the verse explains why the Christians are the closest and most friendly to the Muslims. 

This is an historical perspective, which has not changed to this day. See how we suffer today from global Zionism and Judaism, whereas our peaceful coexistence with the Christians has withstood the test of history. 

Since the inception of Islam 1,400 years ago, we have been suffering from Jewish and Zionist interference in Muslim affairs. 

This is a cause of great distress for the Muslims. The Koran said it and history has proven it: “You shall find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers to be the Jews and the polytheists.” This is the first part. 

The second part is: “You shall find the closest in love to the believers to be those who say: ‘We are Christians’.” 

The third part explains why the Christians are “the closest in love to the believers,” while the Jews and the polytheists are the exact opposite.