His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received Mr. Enzo Moavero Milanesi, Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the latter’s visit to Cairo. The Grand Imam stated that Al-Azhar’s message is peace for the whole world, and that its approach, which is adopted by most Muslims around the world, is based on pluralism and acceptance of the other and that denounces monism. He then indicated that it is this approach that has maintained stability and social peace in the Muslim world for many centuries. According to the Grand Imam, Al-Azhar has exerted massive efforts to maintain and promote the message of peace, both locally through the Egyptian Family House that established a model of coexistence on the basis of citizenship, and globally through building close relations with major religious institutions around the world. The purpose of such relations is to sustain fraternity and acquaintance among the clergy and thus achieve peace for all people. 

For his part, Mr. Milanesi expressed his pleasure to meet with the Grand Imam, being the top symbolic figure representing the Muslim world, and a leading world religious figure. He added that the Grand Imam’s efforts present a model for humanitarian work for the whole world and not exclusively for Muslims, given that he educates the youth on dialogue and respect. Mr. Milanesi noted that the Grand Imam has managed to build up bridges of dialogue and openness to religions and cultures around the world. He then pointed out that religions are innocent of the terrorist crimes committed in their names, indicating that terrorism and other problems afflicting humanity require concerted efforts of all influential forces and personalities around the world, foremost among them are religious leaders. He then asserted that Italy welcomes the Grand Imam’s efforts and cooperation with Al-Azhar in confronting extremist thought and in engaging in interfaith dialogue.