The following are excerpts from an interview with Dr. 'Abd Al-Mu'ti Al-Bayoumi of Al-Azhar University in Cairo. Abu Dhabi TV aired this interview on April 10, 2005:

Dr. 'Abd Al-Mu'ti Al-Bayoumi: Our position in Al-Azhar University is one of total support for these true mujahideen - the Palestinian mujahideen in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, who stand at the gates of paradise. Paradise is beneath their feet on the Al-Aqsa compound. All they have to do to get to paradise is to foil the criminal Zionist plot.

I say in all honesty that we recruit the people of Islam, and instill in them the spirit of the true Jihad, which is death for the sake of Allah, for the sake of our faith, and of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. We Muslims must take this into account. We should not rely on international organizations or political slogans. The reality on the ground is irrigated by blood, by struggle, and by the Jihad of the Palestinians.

We believe that true Jihad is waged by those who have sold their souls for the sake of Allah. Three people died today or yesterday, but the Islamic nation is abundant with such men, who don't really die. Those three did not die, my dear brother. They live forever, sustained by Allah. We don't call them dead.