The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders meets the President of Italy; both emphasize the importance of dialogue in promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence, and peace

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to the President of Italy: We await Italy’s recognition of the State of Palestine

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders meets the President of Italy; both affirm the need to uphold the Middle East peace plan and call for facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to the President of Italy: We appreciate the Italian people’s stance and their massive demonstrations rejecting the aggression on Gaza

The Grand Imam to the President of Italy: The role of Al-Azhar is vital in promoting peace, presenting the true image of Islam, and confronting violence and hatred

President of Italy: We value the Grand Imam’s efforts to promote global peace and human fraternity

President of Italy to the Grand Imam: Your address at the opening session of Daring Peace carried important messages and practical recommendations for achieving peace

President of Italy to the Grand Imam: We appreciate Egypt’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. We call on all parties to adhere to the peace plan and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid

His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, met today (Monday) in the Italian capital, Rome, with President Sergio Mattarella of Italy, on the sidelines of his participation in the International Meeting for Peace, titled Daring Peace.

The Grand Imam expressed Al-Azhar’s deep appreciation for the stance of the Italian people in supporting the Palestinian cause and for their mass demonstrations rejecting the killing, displacement, and genocide suffered by innocent civilians in Gaza for two consecutive years. His Eminence added, “Our hope lies in these young people and the fair-minded across the world who stand up for human dignity, regardless of color, creed, or ethnicity.” He expressed his wish that Italy, through its just positions, would join the growing list of countries that have recently recognized the State of Palestine—an essential step toward establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
 
His Eminence affirmed that Al-Azhar is dedicated to spreading peace—the very essence of Islam’s message—and to presenting the true, compassionate image of this noble faith. To this end, Al-Azhar has proactively engaged with religious and cultural institutions worldwide. These efforts culminated in the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity with the late Pope Francis, and, thanks be to God, this document continues to bear fruit today, with a profound impact on promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue. “We remain confident,” His Eminence said, “in the power of dialogue and mutual understanding to confront racism, extremism, and hatred.”

For his part, President Sergio Mattarella expressed his deep appreciation for the Grand Imam’s role as the Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders in promoting the values of peace and human fraternity, and his admiration for the friendship that united His Eminence with the late Pope Francis. He praised the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by the two major religious leaders in Abu Dhabi in February 2019, saying: “The contemporary world has clearly shown the urgent need for this document, which has transcended borders and become a landmark in the pursuit of global peace and interreligious dialogue.”

President Mattarella also expressed his appreciation for the Grand Imam’s address at the opening session of the International Meeting for Peace organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio, noting that it contained important recommendations—particularly the call for all people to recognize that achieving peace is a noble goal, far greater than one side’s victory over another. He emphasized that humanity today needs the joint efforts of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV of the Catholic Church and His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, to continue strengthening interfaith dialogue and setting an example for youth in positive coexistence and mutual acceptance.

The Italian President reaffirmed his country’s support for the Middle East peace summit and the agreement hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh, and his appreciation for Egypt’s intensive efforts under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. He encouraged all parties to maintain their commitment to the agreed-upon terms and move toward the next phase, stressing that dialogue must remain the foundation of relations—both in politics and in interfaith engagement.

During the meeting, the Grand Imam highlighted the fruits of cooperation and dialogue between Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders, and the Catholic Church, particularly initiatives that empower women and prepare youth to take part in peacebuilding. He emphasized that this relationship has deepened mutual acceptance and strengthened positive coexistence in many societies, expressing his hope to continue these joint efforts with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in the service of promoting global peace.