His Eminence Dr Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has today visited St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo to congratulate Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, the Patriarch of the See of St. Mark as well as all Coptic Christians on the occasion of Christmas.

During the visit and subsequent meeting between the Grand Imam and Pope Tawadros II, His Eminence congratulated the Patriarch of the See of St. Mark along with all Christians on the occasion of Christmas. The Grand Imam also stressed that compassion, goodwill along with interfaith visits between Muslims and Christians are factors that stem from the teachings of Islam, which in fact obliges Muslims to have regular contact with their fellow citizens.

For his part, Pope Tawadros II expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation of the Grand Imam’s heartfelt congratulations while adding that interfaith fondness and respect is a blessing from Almighty God, and that Islamic and Christians holidays and celebrations are an opportunity to display this blessing.

Pope Tawadros II concluded by revealing that Christ’s teachings call for the spread of love and joy with all parts of society, which then leads to absolute peace.