• My visit to Berlin aims to revive the long-standing bond between Islam and Christianity
• It is necessary to establish friendly ties between Muslim scholars and Christian clerics prior to promoting peace between the East and the West.
His Eminence, Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar met with Markus Dröge, Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Berlin.
During the meeting, Bishop Dröge said he was glad about the Imam's historic visit to Germany, stressing that the visit gives a great impetus to promoting interfaith dialogue and tolerance.
Dröge underscored his deep appreciation of the message that the Grand Imam addressed to the whole world, and said the Episcopal Church of Berlin has strong ties with Coptic Church of Egypt and called on the Imam to take part in establishing a "House" project that brings together the three divine faiths. He also gave as a present a textbook about the project to the Imam.
The Grand Imam said that he had not come to Berlin to build up a new relationship between Islam and Christianity, but rather to revive the long-standing bond between the two faiths, affirming his conviction about the need for developing friendly ties between Muslim scholars and Christian clerics prior to promoting peace between the East and the West.
His Eminence, the Grand Imam, highlighted the Egyptian Family House experience and its role in fostering the relationship between Al-Azhar and the Coptic Church of Egypt. He also lauded the Bishop's initiative to establish the House, affirming Al-Azhar's willingness to provide any support needed.