Egypt’s Al-Azhar Chief Urges Italy to Recognize Palestine
Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, who is also the Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, told Italian President Sergio Mattarella in a meeting in Rome that the European country is urged to officially recognize the State of Palestine.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Dare for Peace world meeting for peace organized by the Sant’Egidio Community.
El-Tayyeb expressed appreciation for the Italian public’s solidarity with Palestinians and their mass demonstrations against the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza.
“We value the Italian people’s principled stance and hope Italy will join the growing list of countries that have officially recognized the State of Palestine — a step toward establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the Grand Imam said.
He reaffirmed that Al-Azhar remains committed to promoting peace—the core message of Islam—and to countering misconceptions about the faith through dialogue and cooperation with international religious and cultural institutions.
Recalling his 2019 signing of the Document on Human Fraternity with the late Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi, El-Tayyeb said the initiative continues to strengthen interfaith dialogue and efforts to combat racism, extremism, and hate speech.
President Mattarella commended El-Tayyeb's peace advocacy and his close relationship with Pope Francis, describing the Human Fraternity Document as “a landmark in advancing global peace and interreligious dialogue.”
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He also praised the Grand Imam’s address at the conference’s opening session as “rich with meaningful messages and practical recommendations for achieving peace.”
Both sides discussed continued cooperation between Al-Azhar, the Muslim Council of Elders, and the Catholic Church, particularly initiatives that empower women and engage youth in peacebuilding, reaffirming their shared commitment to sustaining interfaith dialogue and fostering peaceful coexistence.
Source: english.ahram.org.eg
