Al-Azhar Grand Imam Addresses Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) delegation on Interfaith Dialogue and Coexistence

Al-Azhar Grand Imam: Islam is a religion of coexistence, tolerance, and acceptance of the other; dialogue is fundamental to cementing human fraternity.

Al-Azhar Grand Imam: I worked with Pope Francis on the Human Fraternity Document to serve as a guide for spreading peace and coexistence.

CBCP President: Our visit to Al-Azhar is a "dialogue of memories," drawing inspiration from the experience of Grand Imam Al-Tayyeb and Pope Francis.

CBCP President: The principles of fraternity and dialogue that united the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis serve as a guide for establishing peace in today's world.

His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, received H.E. Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments), today, Thursday, at Al-Azhar headquarters. Al-Azhari was accompanied by a delegation from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) —led by His Excellency the Most Reverend

Gilbert Armea Garcera, President of the Conference—and the Philippine Ambassador to Egypt, Her Excellency Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Egyptian-Philippine program for religious leaders focused on dialogue, coexistence, and peacebuilding, titled: “The Egyptian Experience in Peaceful Coexistence and Building a Society Inclusive of All.”

His Eminence the Grand Imam said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome this esteemed delegation, which includes distinguished guests.” He emphasized that this meeting represents a form of calm, sincere dialogue between Muslims and Christians, noting that he holds many memories of the late Pope which affirm that the man was a true man of peace. He recalled how they had worked together for over a year to present the Human Fraternity Document to the world, designed to serve as a guide for spreading peace, brotherhood, and coexistence among all people, regardless of their skin color, race, or creed.

His Eminence added that Islam is a religion of coexistence, tolerance, and acceptance of others. Illustrating this, when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) feared for the safety of a group of vulnerable Muslims, he sent them to a neighboring Christian land—Abyssinia—a group that included his own daughter and her husband. Furthermore, he granted the Muslim man the right to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, to share love and affection with her, and for her to be the mother of his children and his life partner; indeed, he even religiously obligated him to accompany her to her places of worship.

His Eminence also highlighted the “Egyptian Family House”—a unique Egyptian initiative established through the collaboration of Al-Azhar and Egypt’s churches. Co-chaired on a rotating six-month basis by the Grand Imam and the Pope of the Orthodox Church, the initiative works to foster national fraternity. It has played a pivotal role in eliminating many forms of sectarian strife and thwarting attempts to sow discord among fellow citizens, thereby upholding religious teachings that advocate dialogue, brotherhood, and coexistence.

Dr. Osama Al-Azhari outlined the activities of the Egyptian-Philippine program for religious leaders—focused on dialogue, coexistence, and peacebuilding—under the theme: “The Egyptian Experience in Peaceful Coexistence and Building an Inclusive Society.” He emphasized that this program is the fruit of diligent coordination and reciprocal visits aimed at bridging dialogues, exchanging expertise, and working toward the creation of safe and stable societies, thereby serving as a step along the path of fraternity between the two nations. He further noted that the program offers an opportunity for dialogue, consultation, collaborative thinking, and the exchange of experiences.

For his part, Archbishop Garcera, CBCP President, expressed his and his accompanying delegation's delight at meeting tFhe Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He emphasized that this gathering represents a dialogue of shared memories between Muslims and Christians, highlighting the values of coexistence, dialogue, and fraternity witnessed firsthand in the relationship between the Grand Imam and the late Pope Francis, as well as the signing of the Human Fraternity Document. He highlighted the principles of brotherhood and dialogue resulting from that document—which was presented to the world to serve as a guide for instilling these noble values in today’s challenge-filled world.

The CBCP delegation included: Most Rev. Gilbert A. Garcera, CBCP President and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lipa; Most Rev. Ronald Anthony Timoner, Bishop of Pagadian and Chairman of the CBCP Commission on Culture; Most Rev. Ricardo Baccay, Archbishop of Tuguegarao and Chairman of the CBCP Commission on Public Affairs; Most Rev. Leo Magdugo Dalmao, CMF, Bishop of the Prelature of Isabela; Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, Archbishop Emeritus of Cagayan de Oro; Rev. Fr. Romeo S. Saniel, Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue; Monsignor Bernardo R. Pantin, CBCP Secretary General; Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano, Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs; Fr. Briand Restituto, CBCP Assistant Secretary General; and Fr. Miguel Samaniego, CBCP Human Resources Director.