ISTANBUL: The grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, the highest seat of learning for Sunni Muslims, expressed solidarity with Iran late Sunday following a helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
‘I express the sincere solidarity of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif with the Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances, and I pray that God surrounds President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and his companions with His protection and care,’ said Ahmad al-Tayeb on X.
The helicopter carrying Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reportedly made a hard landing due to bad weather while returning from an inauguration ceremony for a dam on the Azerbaijan border.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society previously announced that the crash occurred between Kaleybar and Varzaqan.
Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that rescue teams had not yet reached the area.
East Azerbaijan Deputy Governor Jabbarali Zakiri said that two of the three helicopters in Raisi’s convoy had landed while one had c
rashed.
Rescue teams reported that their efforts were being hampered by adverse weather conditions.
Source: Anadolu Agency