The relationship between Muslims and Christians is as old as Islam itself, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed el Tayyeb said on Wednesday 27/4/2022.

“We have learned from our noble prophet to respect our Christian brothers and all that they hold as sacred”, Tayyeb added during a meeting with a high-level delegation including deans of schools of theology worldwide, accompanied by Archbishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria Samy Fawzy.

This relationship has evolved throughout the ages despite attempts by extremist groups to incite division and capitalize on religious differences to advance their pernicious agendas, the grand imam said.

“In Egypt, we have established a community embracing all Egyptians, namely the Egyptian Family House,” Tayyeb added, highlighting Al-Azhar’s efforts to bolster cooperation with Christian institutions in Egypt and all over the world.

“These efforts have been crowned by signing the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, also known as the Abu Dhabi declaration or Abu Dhabi agreement, between Al-Azhar and the Vatican in February 2019,” Tayyeb noted.

Tayyeb and the delegation members discussed contemporary crises, and how to enhance mutual cooperation.

Meanwhile, the delegation members voiced appreciation of the grand imam’s efforts for promoting peace and peaceful coexistence, asserting their countries’ need to benefit from Al-Azhar scholars and their moderate approach to combating extremism and bigotry.

Tayyed extended Easter greetings to the delegation members who also extended their greetings to the grand imam on Eidul-Fitr, which signals the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Source: State Information Service Egypt