The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received French President Emmanuel Macron and his accompanying delegation during their visit to Cairo. His Eminence welcomed President Macron, his wife and the accompanying delegation, stressing that his visit is of special importance in light of the cultural and historical relations between Al-Azhar and France, which are strengthened by Al-Azhar scholars who have studied in France and become symbols of thought and culture in Egypt. He added that this group is still the most influential at Al-Azhar, and therefore we are keen to continue and improve these relations.

His Eminence explained that these strong relations make it imperative to help France overcome terrorism and confront those who kill others in the name of religion. He explained Al-Azhar's readiness to support France through a program to train imams to confront terrorist thought, in addition to providing scholarships for French students to study at Al-Azhar to make France a center for the dissemination of moderate thought in Europe.

The Grand Imam stressed that the foremost amongst the messages of true Islam carried by Al-Azhar is peace, which is the only guarantee for the protection of innocent lives. He pointed out that Al-Azhar is ready to help prevent any person living anywhere in the world from being killed in the name of religion. Al-Azhar is also making efforts to build up bridges of dialogue with the West and the major religious institutions such as the Vatican, the World Council of Churches and Canterbury Cathedral, and will participate in the Conference on Human Fraternity to be held in Abu Dhabi, early February 2019, in cooperation with the Vatican to promote peace among the followers of religions.

The French President, for his part, said he was happy to meet His Eminence the Grand Imam, the greatest Islamic symbol, for his pivotal role in confronting all forms of violence and terrorism, for his permanent work to build up bridges of dialogue between religions, and for his quest to revive Islamic science and knowledge. He said he aspires to increase cooperation and coordination with Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, to promote the values of citizenship, coexistence and stability in the French society, and to face the extremist currents that attract Muslim youth in France. President Macron expressed his desire that all French imams, preachers and students of religion receive training at Al-Azhar, to be a guarantee of stability and respect for the rules of citizenship. He stressed the importance of restoring cultural relations between Al-Azhar and France through the exchange of scholarships and academic relations between the two sides.