His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received the delegation of the American Commission for Religious Freedom during their visit to Cairo. The Grand Imam stated that in 2012, Al-Azhar issued a document establishing the freedom of belief, knowing that Islam as a religion preceded all in establishing this freedom on the grounds that religious belief is a matter of the heart and cannot be imposed by force. The Grand Imam added that the Noble Qur’an frequently confirms unambiguously that “there is no compulsion in religion”. He explained that Al-Azhar always follows the sound Qur’anic approach in communicating the message of Islam and clarifying its truths via well-advised dialogue and constructive discussion. His Eminence indicated that the Egyptian coexistence model is a fruit of the tolerance of Islamic concepts that underpin the Egyptian culture of accepting the other. He then added that the Egyptian Family House, which brings under its umbrella the Egyptian churches alongside Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, is working to promote these values through generations, and to eliminate occasional tensions induced by social problems, though some try to dress them in a sectarian garb. The Grand Imam stressed that unless the West understands the value of religion for the Easterners, there will remain a large gap between the two sides.

For their part, the delegation members indicated that the work undertaken by Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif in the Egyptian society protects all its citizens and makes the future of Egypt more secure. They added that they sensed the appreciation that the Grand Imam enjoys among the Egyptians and the religious leaders across the world.