Pope Francis writes to Imam of prestigious Islamic University al-Azhar
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a personal message to Ahmed al-Tayyeb, the
great Imam of al-Azhar University in Cairo, one of the most prestigious Sunni Islamic
institutions in the Arab world. The Fides news agency, the information service of
the Pontifical Mission Societies, reported the news after receiving an official statement
from al-Azhar which said the papal message expresses esteem and respect “for Islam
and Muslims.” The note conveys the hope that efforts will be made to promote "understanding
among Christians and Muslims in the world, to build peace and justice".
Fides
reports that the Pope’s personal letter “was delivered on Tuesday, September 17 to
the Great Imam of Al-Azhar by the Apostolic Nuncio in Egypt, Msg. Jean-Paul Gobel,
together with the message to the Islamic world also signed by Pope Bergoglio for the
end of Ramadan, recently issued by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.”
Dialogue
between the Holy See and al-Azhar was interrupted by the university which, according
to Fides, “interpreted Pope Benedict XVI’s statements on the need to protect Christians
in Egypt and the Middle East as undue Western interference” following an attack against
the Coptic Cathedral in Alexandria on New Year’s eve 2011.
Speaking to Fides
about Pope Francis’ message to Imam al-Tayyeb, Father Hani Bakhoum, secretary of the
Patriarchate of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts said it "is a way of expressing the
deep sense of respect and affection that the Catholic Church, the Holy See and the
Pope have towards all Muslims and especially for al-Azhar, which is the most representative
institution of moderate Sunni Islam. Surely this letter will help over time to put
aside any misunderstanding and also to resume the bilateral dialogue with the Holy
See".