Rome: His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome on the sidelines of the International Meeting for Peace, which was held under the theme ‘Daring Peace’.
According to Emirates News Agency, during the meeting, the Grand Imam emphasized Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s and the Muslim Council of Elders’ commitment to promoting peace, a fundamental principle of Islam, and to presenting the true image of the religion. He noted that this mission inspired Al-Azhar to engage in dialogue with global religious and cultural institutions, which led to the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity with Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The Grand Imam expressed satisfaction that this document continues to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and he stressed the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding in confronting racism, extremism, and hatred.
The Grand Imam also expressed gratitude for the Italian people’s support of the Palestinian cause, highlighting the role of young people and fair-minded individuals worldwide in upholding human dignity. President Mattarella commended Dr. Al-Tayeb’s efforts to advance the values of peace and human fraternity and praised the Document on Human Fraternity as a significant milestone for global peace and interreligious dialogue. He reflected on its urgent necessity in contemporary times.
President Mattarella applauded the Grand Imam’s address at the International Meeting for Peace, noting its call for a belief in the noble goal of achieving peace. He stressed the importance of continued cooperation between Pope Leo XIV and the Grand Imam to strengthen interfaith dialogue and provide a living example of coexistence.
Furthermore, the Italian President reiterated his support for the Middle East peace agreement hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh and appreciated Egypt’s efforts to reach solutions to stop aggression against Gaza. He encouraged adherence to the agreement’s terms to facilitate the transition to the next phase, with dialogue remaining the foundation for building relations in politics and interfaith engagement.
During their meeting, the Grand Imam highlighted the positive outcomes of dialogue between Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders, and the Catholic Church, particularly initiatives aimed at empowering women and preparing young people for peacebuilding. He expressed hope for continued cooperation with Pope Leo XIV to advance global peace.