On Thursday, April 18, 2019, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmed Aṭ-Ṭayyeb received Mr. Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden in Cairo, accompanied by Mr. Joaquim Brajstrom, Ambassador of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sweden's envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. His Eminence the Grand Imam said that Al-Azhar is keen to convey the message of peace that Islam carries to all humankind. He pointed out that Al-Azhar Foundation has initiated openness to the world's major religious institutions such as the Vatican, the World Council of Churches and the Church of Canterbury, in the belief of Al-Azhar in the importance of building bridges of cooperation and understanding between among civilizations and cultures.

     On his part, Ambassador Jan Thesleff praised the high international status enjoyed by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, pointing out that the moderate religious discourse provided by Al-Azhar has contributed greatly to uncovering the falsity of the extremist groups, and clarifying the reality of conflicts committed in the name of Islam.