On Monday, January 5, His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayeb, accompanied by a high-level delegation, visited His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, to extend his congratulations on the occasion of Christmas. During the visit, the Grand Imam offered prayers for the continued peace, security, and prosperity of Egypt and its people, both Muslims and Christians alike.
The Grand Imam emphasized that Al-Azhar remains steadfast in upholding the principle of “citizenship” as a foundational pillar for nation-building. He noted that Al-Azhar previously convened an international conference dedicated to this theme, which successfully led to the formal abandonment of the term “minorities”—a term often laden with negative connotations—in favor of a unified national identity.
His Eminence spoke of the tragedies currently afflicting humanity, warning that the world appears to have lost its sense of wisdom and reason. “We pray to Allah to guide world leaders to regain their sanity,” the Grand Imam implored. “We urge a shift away from the logic of power toward a spirit of human fraternity. We pray for deliverance from these senseless, arbitrary wars that have brought humanity to an unprecedented state of deterioration.”
In response, Pope Tawadros II warmly welcomed the Grand Imam and his delegation, noting that this cherished visit brings immense joy to Orthodox Christians and stands as a testament to the profound bond shared by all Egyptians. The Pope also extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Grand Imam on his 80th birthday, wishing him continued health, well-being, and success in his mission.
Popr Tawadros II emphasized that the birth of Jesus Christ serves as a universal message of goodwill, reminding us that humanity was created for mutual service. He remarked that while individuals hold diverse roles, all are united by the collective mission of fostering and spreading peace. Addressing regional crises, His Holiness said: “We pray for the suffering peoples in Sudan, Gaza, and Yemen, and in all nations where humanity endures deep wounds. Allah does not condone such inhumane violations, and we remain confident in His divine power to transform this painful reality.”
The Grand Imam and Pope Tawadros also reviewed the latest updates on the Egyptian Family House’s initiatives. They discussed its ongoing expansion across various governorates and stressed the vital importance of providing necessary support to this pivotal project, given its proven impact in curbing sectarianism and extremism through grassroots dialogue.