At the outset of his visit to Germany, Al-Azhar Grand Imam meets leaders of the Christian Churches, affirming …
- Spreading peace all over the world is my top priority… I will visit the Pope of Vatican soon.
- My heart is filled with hope that all of us be peace makers in this world that strayed away from the route of peace.
His eminence Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam and the Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, started his visit to Germany by visiting the Catholic Episcopal Church in the capital, Berlin, upon the invitation of the bishop of the Catholic Church. His eminence the Grand Imam was welcomed by Bishop Hans Jochen Yaschke -head of the Interreligious Dialogue Committee-the representative of the Vatican in Germany, the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps in Berlin, leaders of the Greek, Orthodox and Evangelical Churches, the head of the Christian-Islamic dialogue Center and priest Damian Mutran, the Archbishop of the Coptic Orthodox in Germany.
At the beginning of the meeting, Bishop Hans Jochen Yaschke, head of the Interfaith-dialogue committee, expressed his deep delight as the Grand Imam accepted the invitation of the Catholic Church, affirming the importance of religion in the lives of people.
Yaschke went on, "The Grand Imam’s visit to the Church is a memorable and historic one that affirms his eminence’s backing to the Islamic-Christian dialogue which is in favor of all peoples and nations."
The Grand Imam, in his speech, asserted that peace and mercy are religious principles which are essential for the stability of mankind, affirming that his top priority is to spread peace culture all over the world. He added that all mankind are partners in humanity, and everyone has the right to enjoy peace, and that we all have to exert our utmost efforts to spread this culture among people.
In the same vein, his eminence added, "The three heavenly-revealed religions have emanated from one source. Allah, the Almighty, has not revealed religions but to secure happiness for people in this world and the Hereafter." The Imam then referred to the initiative of ‘The Egyptian Family House and its successful role in maintaining the Egyptian unity between the Muslims and Christians.
Al-Tayyeb went on, "I hope that all of us be peace makers in this world that misguided the route of peace, to rescue mankind from calamites awaiting it.” The Grand Imam continued, "Soon, I will finish writing my book entitled “Search for Peace”.
In conclusion of his speech, the Grand Imam expressed his thanks to the leaders of Christian Churches for that meeting, re-affirming his adherence to push the inter-faith dialogue forward, indicating that he intends to meet the Pope of Vatican in the near future.