Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, and Dr. Andrea Zaki, Head of the Evangelical Community said: “Our steadfast stance concerning homosexuality rejects it totally. Such a stance emerges from the teachings of the Quran and the Bible; we reject all attempts to impose extraneous culture on the East under the pretext of rights and freedoms. We adhere to preserve our religious, Arab and Eastern values against the Western cultural invasion; we warn the Muslim and Christian youth of the trends that try to mix concepts and disrespect our Arab, Islamic and Christian identity”.
The Grand Imam expressed his pleasure to meet with brothers and friends from the Evangelical Church under the leadership of Dr. Andrea Zaki. The Grand Imam presented his congratulations on the occasion of Easter, praying to Allah Almighty to grant Egypt, on these occasions, prosperity, security, love, and peace.
In the same context, the Grand Imam stressed that the cohesion between Muslims and Christians and their mutual participation in all occasions and feasts present to the world a living example of peaceful coexistence among the people of the same nation. This cohesion emerges from our right understanding of our religion, not out of compliments or formalities as disseminated by those who do not understand the philosophy of Islam and its message that seeks to spread love and peace among all peoples. He added: “when you find me an open-hearted person, this is out of my faith in Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad’s messages, peace be upon them all”.
On his part, the Head of the Evangelical Community highlighted that the recent statements of the Grand Imam, concerning the relations between Muslims and Christians, build and heal the nation, adding that the Grand Imam’s genuine stance contributes to establishing peace in society. He expressed that he cherishes the distinguished relation he has with the Grand Imam, for his Eminence is not only an Imam for Muslims, but also an Imam for all Egyptians.
