Grand Imam Of Al-Azhar And Italian President Mattarella Discuss Peace And Interfaith Dialogue In Rome

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, recently met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome. This meeting took place during the International Meeting for Peace, themed "Daring Peace." The Grand Imam emphasised Al-Azhar's dedication to promoting peace, a fundamental Islamic principle, and portraying Islam's true compassionate nature.

The Grand Imam highlighted Al-Azhar's commitment to dialogue with global religious and cultural institutions. This engagement led to the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity with Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019. "We thank God that this document continues to bear fruit, advancing interfaith and intercultural dialogue," he stated, stressing that dialogue is crucial in combating racism, extremism, and hatred.

President Mattarella praised Dr. Al-Tayeb’s contributions to promoting peace and human fraternity. He expressed admiration for his friendship with the late Pope Francis and described the Document on Human Fraternity as a significant milestone for global peace and interreligious dialogue. "Contemporary reality has proven its urgent necessity," he remarked.

The Italian President also commended the Grand Imam’s speech at the International Meeting for Peace organised by the Community of Sant’Egidio. He noted its emphasis on achieving peace as a noble goal beyond any single party's victory. President Mattarella stressed ongoing cooperation between Pope Leo XIV and Dr. Al-Tayeb to enhance interfaith dialogue.

President Mattarella reiterated Italy’s support for the Middle East peace agreement hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. He acknowledged Egypt's efforts under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to find solutions to halt aggression against Gaza. The President urged all parties involved to adhere to the agreement terms, highlighting dialogue as essential in politics and interfaith relations.

The Grand Imam expressed gratitude for Italy’s support of the Palestinian cause. He mentioned that hope lies with young people and fair-minded individuals worldwide to uphold human dignity regardless of colour, creed, or race.

Empowering Youth and Women

During their discussion, Dr. Al-Tayeb underscored successful dialogues between Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders, and the Catholic Church. These dialogues have led to initiatives empowering women and preparing youth for peacebuilding roles. He expressed optimism about continued collaboration with Pope Leo XIV to further global peace efforts.

The Grand Imam noted these initiatives have fostered coexistence and mutual acceptance across various societies. He hopes that ongoing cooperation will continue advancing global peace through shared efforts.

This meeting underscored both leaders' commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding among different faiths and cultures. Their discussions highlighted shared goals in promoting peace globally through collaborative efforts.

With inputs from WAM