AhlulBayt News Agency: The imam of Al-Azhar, in a meeting with the bishop of Egypt’s Coptic Church, emphasized the necessity of using the New Year occasion to put an end to the sufferings of the people of Gaza.
Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb met with Pope Tawadros II to congratulate him on the New Year.
He hoped that God grants safety and peace to Muslims and Christians and provides them with all the means for progress and happiness, Egypt Telegraph reported.
“We have come here to renew the bonds of love, friendship, and coexistence, and to express our affection and brotherhood towards our (Christian) brothers,” he stated.
“The Holy Quran and the teachings of our Prophet (PBUH) emphasize respect for the Torah, the Gospel, and Jesus Christ (AS). What we learned at Al-Azhar is the Quran’s praise of the messenger of humanity and peace and (praise of) our Christian brothers.”
He added that the last Messenger of God said, “I am the closest person to Jesus son of Mary in this world and the Hereafter,” and when people asked, “O Messenger of God, how is that?” the Prophet (PBUH) replied, “The prophets are brothers; they have different mothers, but their religion is one.”
The Al-Azhar chief also emphasized the necessity of using these occasions to put an end to the atrocities that the people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip have been subjected to for over 15 months.
“When our brothers are deprived of food and water, struggling with death, tasting the bitterness of losing loved ones, and facing genocide and ethnic cleansing under an unprecedented shameful global silence, we cannot be happy.”
Al-Tayyeb remarked that the obstruction of humanitarian aid, coupled with heavy rainfall and harsh climatic conditions, is an inhumane act.
Why is this oppression supported by international organizations that claim to be guardians of peace, he wondered.
Pope Tawadros II, for his part, welcomed the Al-Azhar chief and his accompanying delegation
Emphasizing that this meeting reflects the fraternal spirit that unites Muslims and Christians in Egypt, he expressed hope that the coming year will bring goodness, peace, and stability to the entire world.
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Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb met with Pope Tawadros II to congratulate him on the New Year.
He hoped that God grants safety and peace to Muslims and Christians and provides them with all the means for progress and happiness, Egypt Telegraph reported.
“We have come here to renew the bonds of love, friendship, and coexistence, and to express our affection and brotherhood towards our (Christian) brothers,” he stated.
“The Holy Quran and the teachings of our Prophet (PBUH) emphasize respect for the Torah, the Gospel, and Jesus Christ (AS). What we learned at Al-Azhar is the Quran’s praise of the messenger of humanity and peace and (praise of) our Christian brothers.”
He added that the last Messenger of God said, “I am the closest person to Jesus son of Mary in this world and the Hereafter,” and when people asked, “O Messenger of God, how is that?” the Prophet (PBUH) replied, “The prophets are brothers; they have different mothers, but their religion is one.”
The Al-Azhar chief also emphasized the necessity of using these occasions to put an end to the atrocities that the people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip have been subjected to for over 15 months.
“When our brothers are deprived of food and water, struggling with death, tasting the bitterness of losing loved ones, and facing genocide and ethnic cleansing under an unprecedented shameful global silence, we cannot be happy.”
Al-Tayyeb remarked that the obstruction of humanitarian aid, coupled with heavy rainfall and harsh climatic conditions, is an inhumane act.
Why is this oppression supported by international organizations that claim to be guardians of peace, he wondered.
Pope Tawadros II, for his part, welcomed the Al-Azhar chief and his accompanying delegation
Emphasizing that this meeting reflects the fraternal spirit that unites Muslims and Christians in Egypt, he expressed hope that the coming year will bring goodness, peace, and stability to the entire world.
/129