Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received today, Monday, at Al-Azhar headquarters, Ambassador Heidi Serry, the new Egyptian Consul in Marseille and southern France.

The Grand Imam said Al-Azhar is making intensive international efforts to clarify true Islam, correct misconceptions, and promote the principles of peace, tolerance and coexistence. Al-Azhar believes that people, as Allah Almighty created them, are diverse so that they may know and integrate with each other. His Eminence added that the earth will accommodate all people if religious and humanitarian values prevail. These values look at people as brothers, not as enemies.

The Grand Imam emphasized that Al-Azhar receives international students and trains imams in its moderate approach to be Ambassadors of peace around the world.

For her part, Ambassador Heidi Serry stressed that this meeting is of special importance to her, especially before the beginning of her work trip in France in view of the universal appreciation and status that the Grand Imam enjoys as a religious symbol everywhere. His cosigning of the Human Fraternity Document represented an important step in the history of relations between the East and the West.

She indicated her keenness to explore opportunities for partnerships and cooperation between Al-Azhar University and French universities, based on the importance of scientific and cultural cooperation between countries and the prestigious and distinguished international standing of Al-Azhar University.