The Grand Imam: We are awaiting for Italy's announcement of its recognition of the State of Palestine.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar: We appreciate the Italian people's stance and their massive demonstrations rejecting the aggression against Gaza.

 

The Italian President: We appreciate the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar's efforts in spreading the values of global peace and human fraternity.

 

The Italian President: Your speech at the opening session of the peace conference carried important messages and practical recommendations for achieving peace.

 

The Italian President: We appreciate Egypt's efforts to reach a cessation of hostilities against Gaza and we call on everyone to adhere to the peace plan and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid.

 

 

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad al-Tayyeb, met today, Monday, in Rome, with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, on the sidelines of his participation in the summit titled, the World Summit “Finding the Courage for Peace,” held in Rome.

 

 

 

The Grand Imam stated that Al-Azhar appreciates the Italian people's stance in supporting the Palestinian cause and their massive demonstrations expressing their rejection of the killing, displacement, and genocide perpetrated against innocent civilians in Gaza for two full years. He added, “Hope rests on these young people and fair-minded individuals, and their peers from around the world, to champion human dignity regardless of color, belief, or ethnicity.” He expressed his hope that Italy, with its just positions, would join the list of countries that have recently recognized the State of Palestine, as a step towards establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

 

His Eminence affirmed that Al-Azhar is committed to spreading peace, which is the essence of Islam's message, and to presenting the tolerant image of this religion. Therefore, it has taken the initiative to engage with religious and cultural institutions worldwide, culminating in the signing of the Human Fraternity Document by both Al-Azhar Grand Imam and His Holiness, the late Pope Francis. He thanked Allah that it continues to bear fruit to this day, and we see its significant impact in promoting dialogue between religions and cultures. His Eminence added, “We trust the power of dialogue and mutual understanding to confront racism, extremism, and hatred.”

 

Italian President Sergio Mattarella, for his part, affirmed his appreciation for the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar's stances in promoting the values of peace and human fraternity, and his admiration for the friendship that bound His Eminence to the late Pope Francis. He praised the Human Fraternity Document, which the two great religious figures signed in February 2019 in Abu Dhabi. He stated, “Contemporary reality has proven the urgent need for this document, which has transcended geographical boundaries and become a landmark in the field of world peace and interfaith dialogue.”

 

Mattarella expressed his appreciation for the speech delivered by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar at the opening session of the summit organized by the Sant'Egidio Community. He noted that the speech contained important recommendations, particularly regarding the importance of everyone believing that achieving peace is a noble goal, rather than one side achieving victory over the other. He asserted that humanity needs the combined efforts of Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to continue promoting interfaith dialogue and to provide young people with a model of positive coexistence and acceptance of others.

 

Mattarella affirmed his country's support for the Middle East peace agreement brokered in Sharm El-Sheikh and expressed his appreciation for the intensive Egyptian efforts, led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to reach a solution to end the aggression against Gaza. He encouraged all parties to continue adhering to the agreement's provisions to facilitate the transition to the second phase; emphasizing that dialogue must be the foundation upon which political relations are built, just as interfaith dialogue is.

 

During the meeting, the Grand Imam pointed to the fruits of the dialogue between Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) and the Catholic Church, especially the initiatives aimed at empowering women and preparing young people to participate in peacemaking. He stressed that this relationship has consolidated acceptance of others and strengthened positive coexistence in many societies, noting his hope for the continuation of these efforts with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in a way that serves the spread of world peace.