The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb during his meeting with a delegation of the bishops of France in Cairo on Saturday (Photo courtesy of Al-Azhar)
Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the world's most prestigious seat of Sunni Islamic learning, and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, said the document of "Human Fraternity is a safe way out of the problems of the East and West.
El-Tayeb's statement came during his meeting on Saturday with a delegation of the French bishops responsible for reviving the path of the Holy Family.
"We [Egyptians] have the right to be proud of the journey of the Holy Family and the Virgin Mary which led many people to Egypt to learn about its details," said El-Tayeb, stressing that Egypt was, and still is, a blessed land, visited by prophets and messengers such as Jesus, Moses and Abraham.
"The Human Fraternity Document," the grand imam said, "that I signed with my brother Francis, and which enthroned a whole year of hard work and sincere efforts by Al-Azhar and the Vatican, is considered a safe way out of human problems in the East and West."
El-Tayeb praised the establishment of the Higher Committee for implementing the Objectives of the Human Fraternity Document, saying "it is a positive step for human fraternity."
The first meeting of the higher committee took place at the Vatican in the presence of Pope Francis in September 2019.
The delegated French bishops said they were happy to meet with the grand imam, expressing their appreciation of his efforts for the sake of humanity and the consolidation of the culture of dialogue and coexistence.
They also affirmed that "the openness and good relationship between the two largest religious institutions in the world [Al-Azhar and the Vatican], will reap the good fruits of the world and benefit all believers everywhere."
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