Cairo, Egypt – His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, arrived in the Italian capital, Rome, to participate in the global conference organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio under the theme “Having Courage in Pursuit of Peace.”
The presence of the Grand Imam, who represents the main religious and educational center for more than a billion Sunni Muslims, is a significant event in the context of promoting interfaith dialogue.
Keynote speech on peace and justice
The Grand Imam is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the opening session of the conference. He will highlight the concept of peace based on justice and the moral responsibility of religious leaders.
His Eminence is expected to emphasize the importance of these leaders’ commitment to protecting human dignity and working diligently to end global conflicts and disputes. He will emphasize that true peace can only be achieved through a commitment to moral values and social justice.
Historic meeting with Pope Leo XIV
The visit will witness a highly anticipated historic meeting between the Grand Imam and Pope Leo XIV, the first of its kind. Observers describe this move as opening a new chapter in the dialogue between Al-Azhar and the Vatican. This meeting reinforces the ongoing cooperation that began with the signing of the Human Fraternity Document in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
In addition to the papal audience, the Grand Imam will participate in a series of bilateral meetings with religious leaders, intellectuals, and representatives of participating international organizations. These meetings aim to develop joint solutions to contemporary humanitarian challenges and support peace and social justice initiatives.
This visit comes at a time of growing global interest in the role of religious dialogue in building a more stable world. This underscores the symbolism of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar’s presence as a practical call for moral and religious solidarity among peoples.
