We are shattered by his death: Al Azhar scholars

 Scholars of Al Azhar University have expressed their deep grief on the demise of Dr Abdullah Omran, Chairman of Dar Al Khaleej, affirming that he represents a cultural beacon and a communication bridge between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. They also said that his death was a big loss, but the solace is in the intellectual legacy, which he left and which will  remain in many hearts and minds. 
Dr. Abbas Schumann, Al Azhar’s deputy Imam, said, “We are shattered by the loss of Dr Abdullah, and we ask Allah to grant solace to his family and the people of the UAE.”
Dr Nasri Farid Wasel, former Grand Mufti of Egypt said, “Emirati people,  including Dr Abdullah, are characterised by loyalty, and Dr Abdullah is one of the UAE thinkers whose efforts have contributed to the founding of the Union of the UAE.” 
Wasel pointed out that through his experience with Dar Al Khaleej, one of the intellectual fruits of the late Dr Abdullah, he found it a model of free, bold and enlightened journalism, working to spread religious awareness through moderate thinking. 
Dr Ahmadi Abo Noor, former Egyptian Awqaf minister, said, “The UAE’s solidarity with Egypt in its current crisis stresses the deep historical relations between the two peoples.” He added that the late Dr Abdullah will be remembered for founding Dar Al Khaleej, which is regarded as an intellectual beacon in all disciplines of knowledge.
Abdullah Al Najjar, member of the Islamic Research Complex, said, “We haved lost an enlightened mind.” He added that Dr Abdullah played a major role in promoting UAE culture and communication with the Arab world through his participation in many effective seminars and conferences which contributed to building bridges of cultural communication, not only between Egypt and the UAE but also between the UAE and all Arab countries and the world. This was achieved through his studies, research and Ph.D thesis in modern history at a British university,” Najjar pointed out. 
Dr Abla Al Kahlawi, former Dean of Islamic and Arabic Studies, Al Azhar University (Women’s College) said, “Dar Al Khaleej, which was founded and chaired by the late Dr Abdullah, is a press lighthouse in the strict sense of the word. She wished that Allah have mercy on Dr Abdullah for the intellectual and cultural heritage he left in all the fields he was involved, where he left his imprint.”
Source : Gulf Today