The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received Mr. Francesco Duarte, Portuguese Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, accompanied by Ms. Madeleine Fischer, Portuguese Ambassador in Cairo. The Grand Imam welcomed Mr. Durate at Al-Azhar Headquarters, stressing that the embassies deployed in the East and the West bear a great burden in reconciling views through a serious dialogue between Eastern and Western civilizations. He added that serious measures should be taken to eliminate terrorism, which is no longer confined to the East but rather transcends it to the West; and that education should be promoted, and the poor be fostered in areas afflicted by wars. 

For his part, the Portuguese Assistant Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation of Al-Azhar and its great role in promoting the moderation of Islam, asserting that his country follows up on the efforts of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in establishing the values of peace and justice around the world. Mr. Durate also indicated that the Western world should receive the message that Islam is a religion of peace and mercy, pointing out that Muslims in Portugal live in security and peace, and participate in the country's progress and development.