In their first meeting after they have signed the Human Fraternity Document, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the Pope of the Vatican agree on going forward to enhance cooperation and achieve human fraternity.
The Grand Imam, “The Human Fraternity Document is the focus of attention of the Arab and Muslim region”.
Pope Francis, “The Human Fraternity Document was a far-fetched dream, but by the will of the Lord it has become a factual reality".
On Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church in the Vatican, received His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Aḥmed Aṭ-Ṭayyeb, to discuss joint cooperation plans between Al-Azhar and the Vatican for achieving human fraternity.
At the beginning of the meeting, Pope Francis welcomed the Grand Imam, expressing his pleasure with this fraternal meeting. He described the relationship between them as "sincere brotherhood". His Holiness expressed his aspiration for further cooperation between the two ancient institutions to promote the principles of fraternity and the culture of coexistence.
Pope Francis said that the great religious institutions have the big responsibility of promoting the principles of goodness and the values of love and peace. He added that the historic Human Fraternity Document involves a guide that leads humankind towards world peace and coexistence. It is also a universal reference for all believers in humanity. It carries a call to conscientious people to renounce violence and extremism. He also stressed that the Human Fraternity Document was a far-fetched dream, but by the will of the Lord it has become a factual reality.
On his part, the Grand Imam expressed his pleasure to meet Pope Francis again. He stressed that this meeting has a real influence and it is a true invitation for the followers of religions around the world to adhere to human fraternity and reject the feelings of aversion and hatred. It is also a call to knock at all the doors that will prepare the world public opinion to promote the values of brotherhood and coexistence. He pointed out that the Human Fraternity Document has become the focus of attention of the Arab and Muslim region.
The Grand Imam and the Pope of the Vatican stressed their appreciation of the international interest in the Human Fraternity Document, calling for translating this concern into programs, legislations and initiatives that can contribute to promoting love and brotherhood among people. They both expressed their appreciation of the support of President ‛Abdel Fattāḥ El-Sῑsῑ of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Al-Azhar’s efforts in working on maintaining human fraternity and tolerance and consolidating them as a factual reality among people. They both expressed their appreciation of the patronage and support of His Highness Sheikh Muḥammad bin Zāyid Al-Nahyān, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, of the document and of the International Committee entrusted with achieving the document’s objectives and overcoming all hardships in order to achieve its targeted goals.
At the end of the meeting, His Eminence the Grand Imam thanked His Holiness Pope Francis for honoring Judge Muḥammad ‛Abdes-Salām, former advisor of the Grand Imam, with the highest honor given by His Holiness the Pope, "Leader with a Star". He considered this a great honor to the youth of Egypt and a great appreciation for Al-Azhar’s people and the approach of Al-Azhar in promoting tolerance and dialogue.