Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received, at Al-Azhar headquarters, a delegation of the heads of the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Dialogue Councils in Germany and Switzerland. This meeting came to hold an intellectual discussion on the most prominent developments related to the promotion of a culture of dialogue, peaceful coexistence and integration into societies.

The Grand Imam said that the dialogue groups are especially important because of their ability to connect with people, extend bridges of coexistence and dialogue between the followers of religions and people of different cultures. He added that there is no solution to the contemporary human crisis except by reviving the teachings of religions in people's hearts and their dealings, and promoting a culture of dialogue among people, which inevitably requires sincere efforts by scholars and peace seekers.

His Eminence added that the religion of the writer of the “Human Fraternity Document” that he cosigned with Pope Francis cannot be detected because it came for the sake of humanity as a whole. The HFD took a whole year to be formulated by Al-Azhar and the Vatican before it was presented to the world. His Eminence stressed the need for religious scholars and men of peace to meet to confront the problems facing the world, the foremost of which is extremism, racism, homosexuality and hatred of the others.

The members of the delegation, for their part, said they were pleased to meet the Grand Imam, especially after what they had seen of him during his visits to Europe, which generated a keen desire to meet His Eminence and listen to his moderate ideas.

The discussions of this meeting revolved around religious freedom; His Eminence the Grand Imam pointed out that the Qur’an affirmed that “there is no compulsion in religion”, and that God’s law in the universe is that He created people different. He, Exalted be He, addressed his Prophet (pbuh) saying, “You are not over them a controller.” (Qur’an, 88: 22); and He said, “The Messenger’s duty is only to deliver the message” (Qur’an, 5: 99).

The members of the delegation expressed their admiration for the efforts made and conferences held by Al-Azhar, the most recent of which was Al-Azhar Global Conference for Renewal of Islamic Thought. They said they followed up with this conference closely due to its importance in supporting relations between the Muslims and the Christians. They noted that Al-Azhar always sends to the world moderate messages, which make peace possible if people only adhered to the correct teachings of religions.