Name-calling turns members of the one nation to enemies, and reviving strife between Shiites and Sunnis is a quick-exploding bomb with a strong impact.

The Islamic nation possesses the elements of unity, but it is not in the interests of its enemies.

Al-Azhar has a history of Islamic dialogue, and its revival will be based on frankness and brotherhood.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb stressed the need for good manners and respect to prevail among different sects and those with different opinions. He said, “When we lose the etiquette of disagreement, we lose our path.” He emphasized that this pivotal point was agreed upon at the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference.

During the third episode of his Ramadan program, "Imam At-Tayyeb," the Grand Imam explained that it is a priority to stop name-calling, emphasizing that this has turned members of the one nation into enemies, and that rekindling discord between Shiites and Sunnis is a quick-exploding, highly impactful bomb. This is what the enemy wants and is keen to maintain, as it relies on the principle of "divide and conquer." He explained that if sectarian differences go beyond their legitimate framework - which is differences in thought - they could have dangerous consequences.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar added that the Islamic nation possesses many elements of unity, the first of which are geographic elements. The Arab nation is united by a single language, and we, as Muslims, with a population exceeding one and a half billion, share a single faith. We worship one God, face one qibla, and have one Quran, about which we are not disagreed.

The Grand Imam continued, saying that the greatest component of Muslim unity is religious and divine guidance, including the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH): “Whoever prays like us, faces our Qibla, and eats our slaughtered animals is a Muslim and is under the  protection of Allah and His Messenger, so do not betray Allah by betraying those who are in His protection.” The Grand Imam emphasized that the unity of Muslims is not in the interest of their enemies, because they believe that if Muslims unite, they will be a source of strength. So, they try—as much as they can —to keep Muslims like a drowning man; when he sinks, they lift him up a little so he can breathe, then bring him back under water again, and so forth. He explained that nothing can save us from this except unity, meaning that we have one opinion on our major problems.

Regarding the role of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in the Intra-Islamic dialogue, His Eminence the Grand Imam explained that Al-Azhar has had a major role in this dialogue with Shiite scholars for a long time, and that the idea of “Dar Al-Taqrib” (House of Rapprochement) germinated in Al-Azhar with Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltut - the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar (1958 - 1963) - and the great religious authority Muhammad Taqi Al-Qummi in 1949 testifies to this.  Dar Al-Taqrib continued until 1957 and issued nine volumes, containing more than 4,000 pages. The Grand Imam indicated that an attempt will be made to restore the situation again, but with frankness and brotherhood.