[Diocese of Egypt] Dialogue sessions between Al-Azhar and the Episcopal Church, began last Wednesday in Lambeth Palace in London and were attended by Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Sheikh of Al-Azhar al Sharif at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the United Kingdom.

Sheikh Mohii El Din Afifi, Ambassador Abd El Rahman Musa and Dr. Nasir Abdel Dayem participated in the meetings and the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and the Revd Mark Poulsen represented the Episcopal Church.

Participants affirmed that the dialogue between Al Azhar and the Episcopal Church has become an urgent need, especially in light of the violence, conflicts and terrorist events happening in the name of religion. The Grand Imam stated that it is unacceptable to judge religions by the terrorist and criminal acts carried out by some of the followers of these religions.

He added that the cooperation between Al Azhar and Egypt’s Episcopal Church in the areas of community development and achieving communal denominational harmony through the “Together for Egypt” project is a wonderful model that can be repeated in different places of the world. He praised the role played by the Episcopal Church in building bridges and making peace.

The Archbishop of Canterbury also said that the visit of the Sheikh of Al-Azhar to the United Kingdom is a historical visit, and that such a visit will open up new prospects for further cooperation and understanding between East and West.

Dr. Mouneer Hanna said that he hopes that El Azhar Al-Sharif would have an international support and expertise to help them correcting erroneous and extremist teachings, and he added that the Grand Imam visit was successful in every way. Everyone agreed that there has to be a concerted effort to resist the imminent danger of ISIS, which no doubt one day will extend to the Western world.

The Grand Imam gave a lecture at the British House of Lords and met with some of the students of one of the schools under the umbrella of the Episcopal Church. His Eminence met with his Excellency Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and he attended a seminar, attended by 300 diplomats in addition to a number of ministers.