Egypt’s Coptic Pope Visits Al-Azhar For First Time

Egypt’s Coptic Pope Tawadros II paid his first visit on Saturday to the headquarters of Al-Azhar, to extend good wishes to Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb as Eid El-Adha approaches.

The pope headed a delegation from the church to Al-Azhar, Egypt’s highest Sunni-Islamic institution, visiting El-Tayeb, Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam and Minister of Religious Endowments Mohamed Gomaa before the Feast of the Sacrifice starts next Monday.

The Pope said that communication and activities between the Church and Al-Azhar are reflective of “the original character of Egypt,” adding that this image should be spread to the “Egyptian streets for peace.”

Pope Tawadros II was selected as Egypt’s 118th Coptic Pope last November succeeding Pope Shenouda III who passed away in March 2012.

Source : Ahram