Today Sunday, His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Dr. Ahmed At-Tayyeb, received  Antonio Patriota, Ambassador of Brazil to Cairo.

     His Eminence the Grand Imam said, “The message of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif is based on coexistence between the followers of religions. We have exerted a great effort to achieve peace, via the House of the Egyptian Family, a model to be followed for achieving coexistence between Egyptians. Moreover, we organized many conferences calling for interreligious coexistence, including one on Freedom and Citizenship, organized by Al-Azhar two years ago, to enhance consolidation of the principle of citizenship and coexistence".

     His Eminence added that Al-Azhar efforts in promoting world peace have continued through closer relations between Al-Azhar and global churches, starting with the Canterbury Church, and the World Council of Churches. These efforts have culminated in a meeting with Pope Francis, which prompted us to think about issuing the Document on Human Fraternity, as guidelines for dealing with many crises in the contemporary world. In addition, that historic Document was received with acclaim and lauded by the United Nations. The UN is currently considering proclaiming February 4 as the World Day of Human Fraternity.

     On his part, the Ambassador of Brazil expressed his great appreciation of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and the efforts made by the Grand Imam to enhance tolerance and world peace, pointing out his country's keenness to strengthen its relationship with Al-Azhar, seen as the greatest moderate Islamic institution in the world.