The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received Mr. Shewket Imin, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the delegation accompanying him, during his visit to Cairo. 

The Grand Imam stressed that Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif is making great efforts to promote the values of peace and coexistence among the followers of religions in different parts of the world on the basis of citizenship that stipulates that all citizens are equal in rights and duties, explaining that Al-Azhar’s pluralistic curricula call for respect for pluralism and diversity.

The Grand Imam expressed Al-Azhar's keenness to provide scientific and missionary support to China's Muslims, noting that Al-Azhar received a large number of Chinese students at the various stages of Al-Azhar education. He indicated Al-Azhar's readiness to increase the number of scholarships offered to Chinese students, in addition to receiving Chinese imams in a program designed by Al-Azhar to deal with contemporary issues and problems, such as social coexistence and confronting extremism. 

Mr. Imin, for his part, confirmed that the Grand Imam is very popular and respected in China as the most important religious symbol for Muslims in the world. He expressed China's aspiration for cooperation with Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif in the educational, cultural and missionary fields, since Al-Azhar curricula contribute to encouraging peace and social coexistence.