The Grand Imam of Egypt's Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb discussed with UK ambassador to Cairo Sir Geoffrey Adams on Thursday cultural exchange between the world's top Sunni Islamic institution and the British government.

According to a statement issued by the office of the grand imam, El-Tayyeb expressed his happiness with the current cultural and scientific exchange between Al-Azhar and Britain, adding that this represents cooperation between East and West.

El-Tayyeb also said that Al-Azhar is currently focusing on humanitarian causes, especially coexistence and interfaith dialogue, and that Al-Azhar is keen on its relationship with the Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Ambassador Adams said in the meeting with El-Tayyeb that the historical relations between the UK and Al-Azhar are currently seeing notable development, and that Al-Azhar is a major partner for the UK in international efforts and initiatives to promote coexistence.

Meeting with ambassador of Singapore

Earlier on Thursday, El-Tayyeb met with ambassador of Singapore Dominic Goh.

Goh, who was recently appointed as ambassador to Cairo, discussed with El-Tayyeb cooperation between Al-Azhar and Singapore and the importance of continuing cultural and religious cooperation, including in training sheikhs and imams on how to deal with modern challenges like radicalism and terrorism.

Ambassador Goh expressed Singapore's appreciation for the strong relations between Al-Azhar and Islamic religious institutions in Singapore.