Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received at Al-Azhar headquarters, Mr. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss the exchange of educational missions between Al-Azhar and Armenia in light of the historical relations between Egypt and Armenia. In addition, they will discuss the relationship between followers of religions and consolidate a culture of dialogue and peaceful coexistence, within the framework of this visit.

The Grand Imam said that the historical relations between Egypt and Armenia confirm the closeness between the peoples of both countries. Egypt has been a welcoming destination for Armenians at different times of history. This stems from Al-Azhar education curricula, which believe that all people are brothers in humanity. Moreover, Al-Azhar believes that Islam and Christianity have never been a source of wars and conflicts; in fact, religion is hijacked to achieve specific ends of which religion is innocent and which it categorically denies. 

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar affirmed that the teachings of Islam and the actions and sayings of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) affirm brotherhood among the human beings, noting that Al-Azhar has been instilling the correct concepts of Islam in its students and employees throughout its history. He added that Al-Azhar is ready to exchange missions with the universities of Armenia at the level of students and faculty members, and it is in the process of launching an integrated program on “Introducing Islam” at Al-Azhar’s expense to introduce the true message of Islam without falling short of or exaggerating duties.

The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed the greetings of the Armenian President and Prime Minister to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He said he was pleased that he met His Eminence, the Grand Imam, noting, “I was honored to listen to the voice of wisdom and reason, and I pray that the voice of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar would travel through the whole world and be heard by people and politicians for the sake of a world of peace and mercy.” He also noted that he believes that all religions call for mercy and peace, and that the Human Fraternity Document cosigned by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the Pope of the Vatican is strong evidence of the essence and tolerance of religions. He pointed out that Armenia pledges to do its utmost to promote respect of religions and cultures and to consolidate the culture of dialogue.

Mnatsakanyan stressed that Armenia has institutions specialized in oriental studies that are committed to heritage, and that his country is ready to exchange academic missions that will hopefully bear their fruit. The conviction of the positivity of this step comes from the generosity and hospitality that the Armenians found in Egypt, the case which made the Egyptians from Armenian origins loyal citizens who possess a high sense of patriotism, adding that the strong historical relations between Egypt and Armenia are based on mutual respect. He pointed out that this is his first visit to Egypt and he witnessed the ancient history in the streets of Cairo.

At the end of the meeting, His Eminence presented the book of The Memory of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharīf to the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who in turn presented the Grand Imam with the Armenian shield, which stands for the Armenian heritage, culture and language.