During his Meeting with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Italian President Says, the Grand Imam is a Great Symbol for Peace and Dialogue

Prof. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the President of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), met, Tuesday 16 Oct., His Excellence the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella in the Quirinal Palace, Rome, as part of his current visit to Italy.
During the meeting, the Grand Imam expressed his happiness to visit Italy, t...he ancient country that has deep historical relations with the Arab Republic of Egypt and its People at various levels; politically, culturally, and economically, which is clearly reflected in the major developments that have been recently witnessed in the relations between the two countries. The Grand Imam also noted that Italy, with its ancient history and civilization, has built a bridge of communication between Southern Europe and Egypt since ancient times.
El-Tayeb stressed the necessity for the religious institutions and their leaders to work together in their way towards promoting the world peace and alleviating the suffering of the poor and vulnerable. He also confirmed that Al-Azhahr and the Vatican share common visions on the humanitarian issues, and that the relations between the two sides moved beyond this level to joint action. In addition, the Grand Imam expressed his pride in his relationship with Pope Francis, the Pope of Vatican.
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar pointed out that religion is indispensable to people’s lives as it allows them to lead a quiet and tranquil life. He also noted that the scholars and clergymen are in need of immense support from presidents and politicians, with all of their influence and power, in order to achieve the desired peace and to face the immoral challenges of the present time.
For his part, His Excellence the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella expressed his pride in receiving the Grand Imam who stands as a great symbol for peace and dialogue, noting that the brotherly ties between the Grand imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis represent a unique model for the sought-for relationship between religious leaders, and that the picture that gathered them together in Cairo had removed many barriers amidst what the world is currently witnessing of difficult situations. He also confirmed that the cooperation between Al-Azhar and the Vatican will significantly contribute to the efforts of promoting the values of coexistence and dialogue and confronting the attempts to use religions as a pretext for violence.
The President applauded the significant role played by Al-Azhar in confronting the extremist and violent thought and enhancing the values of coexistence and dialogue given the influence and prestige it assumes among Muslims and the moderateness and openness of its methodology. At the end of the meeting, Mattarella commended the Italian-Egyptian relations, noting that the Mediterranean Sea doesn’t separate the two sides; rather it unites them and helps in overcoming the barriers that might hamper their firm friendship. He also voiced his desire to visit Cairo and the Grand Imam at Al-Azhar Headquarters.
The meeting was attended by a high profile delegation from Al-Azhar, including Prof. Mohammad al-Maharsawi, President of Al-Azhar University; Judge. Muhammad Abd Al-Salam, Legal Advisor to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar; and Ambassador Abd Al-Rahman Musa, the Grand Imam’s Advisor for the International Students Affairs.

Prof. Ahmed El-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and President of the Muslims Council of Elders (MCE), met Pope Francis on Tuesday, as part of his four-day visit to Italy.
His Eminence the Grand Imam expressed his deep happiness for this meeting with “his friend” Pope Francis, who embodies a model of moderate and tolerant religious figure who is concerned about the sufferings of the poor and the homeless. Al-Azhar Al-Sharif shares Vatican the same concerns as these are the ...essence of teachings of the religions, which came for the good and happiness of the humanity.
On his part, Pope Francis appreciated this friendly visit and congratulated the Grand Imam for being honored by the University of Bologna, the oldest and the most prestigious university in Europe, appreciating the important role for his Eminence in supporting peace and dialogue across the world. In addition, Pope Francis affirmed that he looks forward to more cooperation and common work with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, as the world is in dire need for those who build bridges of communication and dialogue, not walls of isolation and exclusion.

The University of Bologna Awards the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar the Highest Academic Medal
Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the President of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) was awarded, Monday, the highest Academic Medal from the University of Bologna, the oldest Italian university in Europe. The Medal is the University’s most prestigious decoration and has been awarded to a number of political and religious leaders, intellectuals and scientists.
In his spe...ech during the ceremony, Prof. Francesco Ubertini, the President of the University of Bologna, applauded the efforts made by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in promoting the values of peace and tolerance among all people of different religions and cultures, and hailed the several initiatives he had undertaken with the aim of opening channels for dialogue and communication between religious institutions around the globe.
Ubertini said that his University takes pride in honoring the Grand Imam as it continues to closely monitor his positions and initiatives that gain double importance amidst malicious attempts to hijack the religions and exploit them in promoting violence, destruction and terror among innocent people.
Prof. Alberto Milone, the Head of the Religious Research Institution in Bologna, noted that the Grand Imam is a role model of a moderate and open-minded religious leader who dedicates his life to countering the extremist thought, hatred and alienation, and who undertakes the clarification of the true teachings of religions that are based on tolerance, dialogue and acceptance of the other.
The Medal presented to the Grand Imam is the most prestigious honorary medal that could ever be presented by a university around the world. The University awarded the Medal to a number of high-profile dignitaries, including Pope John Paul II, the former Pope of Vatican; Romano Prodi, the former Prime Minister of Italy; Helmut Kohl, the former Chancellor of Germany; and Pope Francis, the Pope and of the Vatican to whom the Medal was awarded last year.
The University of Bologna, the second oldest University in Italy and the first to grant PhD degrees, has more than 100000 students studying at 23 different colleges across the Italian cities. The University also takes pride in some of its prominent graduates, such as three Popes of Vatican and a great number of politicians, intellectuals, and scientists in Italy w.

President of the Republic of Tatarstan Visits Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Applauds its Role in Confronting Extremism

On behalf of Prof. Ahmed El-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Saleh Abbas, Acting Deputy of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, received, Sunday14 Oct., His Excellency Mr. Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation, and the accompanying delegation.
At the outset of the meeting, the Acting Deputy of Al-Azhar welcomed the President of the ...Republic of Tatarstan and the accompanying delegation,conveying to them the greetings of His Eminence Prof. Ahmed El-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and his emphasis on the readiness of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif to enhance mutual cooperation in different fields.
On his part, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan expressed his pleasure to visit Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, confirming that his country is looking forward to enhance relations with the very prestigious Al-Azhar institution; out of their belief in the role of Al-Azhar in confronting extremism and radicalization.
President Minnikhanov expressed his hope to take advantage of the programs of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif on the preparation and training of Imams and preachers and to scientifically and academically support Bulgar Islamic Academy; a matter which contributes to spreading correct teachings and understandings of the moderate teachings of Islam.

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Delivers a Speech at “Religions, Culture and Dialogue” Conference in Bologna, Italy
Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and President of the Muslims Council of Elders, took part in inaugurating the conference of “Religions, Culture and Dialogue” organized by the Community of Saint' Egidio in Bologna, Italy, during 14-16 of October 2018. International senior religious leaders, intellectuals and cultural dignitaries are also participating in... this conference.
In the opening session of the conference, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar delivered a speech in which he expressed his great pride in the Italian peoples at the educational, cultural and artistic levels, pointing out that the Italian and Egyptian peoples have had close educational, cultural and artistic ties that have grown stronger with the passage of time and that the two countries are very keen on promoting the fruitful cooperation in all fields.
The Grand Imam stressed that religions are innocent of the blood that is being shed in their names, and that terrorizing innocent people and undermining their security and stability cannot be the attitude of people who have faith in any religion or religious teachings. Rather, it is a product of other people who may easily fall a prey for temptation, brainwashing, and exploitation. Prof. Al-Tayeb also pointed out that the aspirations of those who believe in the global peace, equality among people and mutual living are still greater than what is being achieved.