Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif received, on Wednesday at the headquarters of Al-Azhar, Mr. Gareth Bailey, the British Ambassador to Egypt, to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation between the two sides. The Grand Imam said, “Al-Azhar is always keen to strengthen scientific and cultural cooperation with Britain, stemming from the belief in the need for civilizational communication between the East and the West”, pointing out that he has taken the initiative to start academic exchange programs with universities in Britain and Europe to graduate generations open to the West, being able to communicate with The Western mind-set. As a result, many students and researcher of Al-Azhar have been studying in universities in Britain and Europe. The Grand Imam expressed his pleasure with the keenness of His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Crown Prince of Britain, to always make his visit to Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif as a part of his program during his visit to Egypt, the case which reflects the great status of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif for him. He also expressed his appreciation of the generous invitation he received from His Royal Highness to visit the Center for Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford in Britain, stressing his keenness to answer it as soon as possible. 

On his part, the British Ambassador expressed his pleasure with this important meeting, and his great appreciation for the efforts the Grand Imam exerts in promoting interfaith dialogue and presenting the correct image of Islam to the world as a religion that calls for the values of peace and respect for the other. He stressed Britain's keenness to develop this academic cooperation with Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif because of the prominent role it plays in promoting dialogue and communication among different religions and cultures across the world. The British Ambassador also conveyed the greetings of His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Crown Prince of Britain, to the Grand Imam, and his great pleasure with the warm reception he found during his visit to Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, directing an official invitation to the Grand Imam to visit the Center for Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford in Britain and to deliver a speech on the role of Islam in protecting the environment and facing the challenges of climate change.