The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar said, “The world will never enjoy stability in the presence of the economy of arms and the ignition of wars, but rather through brotherhood and dialogue”. The President of the Pontifical Council of the Vatican said, “The friendship between the Grand Imam and the Pope sends messages of goodwill and peace to the followers of religions. Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, received Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayoso, President of the Pontifical Center for Interfaith Dialogue in the Vatican, Member of the Supreme Committee for Human Fraternity, and Bishop Nicholas Henry, Ambassador of the Vatican in Cairo, on Saturday at the headquarters of Al-Azhar, in the presence of a number of scholars and leaders of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif.  The Grand Imam pointed out that the relationship between Al-Azhar and the Vatican remains an effective outstanding  real model for enhancing tolerance and peace and combating extremism, hatred, wars and conflicts, adding that the path of peace and dialogue is a difficult one, but taking this path and exerting all possible  efforts in this regard is a duty of all.

The Grand Imam also stressed that the leaders and scholars of religions have a religious and societal duty today to confront the negative phenomena, especially with regard to moral aspects because the world is facing a real test and everyone should be aware of the seriousness of such phenomena that contradict the teachings of religions regarding preserving the humanity of man whom God has honoured. HE also pointed out that Al-Azhar would draw on the past relationship with the Vatican to take intensive steps and measures to implement the provisions of the Document of Human Fraternity which included various issues and suggested solutions from a religious perspective to the problems facing the world today. 

On his part, the President of the Pontifical Council expressed his appreciation for the joint efforts led by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis in laying the foundations of peace and stability, noting that the meetings of the Grand Imam and the Pope send messages of love and peace to the followers of religions worldwide. He also pointed out that the Supreme Committee for Human Fraternity, of which he is a member and the Chair of the current session, would work during the coming period to raise the level of awareness of the HFD and activate its provisions, along with opening new horizons for cooperation with institutions and officials to adopt its provisions and present them to the youth. He also pointed out that Al-Azhar has long experience and played an effective role with the Vatican in boosting the values of tolerance and dialogue, and that the Egyptian Family House is a unique model within Egypt for coexistence between the Muslims and the Christians. 

The President of the Pontifical Council stressed that Pope Francis always emphasizes that knowledge is the weapon of the nations and the way to acquaintance and rapprochement for the sake of peace, and that communication between peoples is greatly important especially in light of the conflict and turmoil that the world is witnessing, a matter that has made people long for peace and stability. He also pointed out that the efforts towards having dialogue would never stop despite the repercussions of the Corona pandemic and that such joint efforts between Al-Azhar and the Vatican would continue aiming for a world where affection, love and stability would prevail.