Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmed El Tayyeb on Monday said he was keen to lead a high-level delegation to greet Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese and the Egyptian Copts on the occasion of Christmas.

The visit affirmed that the Egyptian people are united and can not be divided, the grand imam said in a statement after the visit.

Good relations which are based on mutual respect between Al Azhar and the Orthodox Church is a bulwark against risks that threaten the future of Egypt, the statement added.

The grand imam also thanked Pope Tawadros on his souvenir, a commemorative plaque containing a set of roses that was made by young men of the church, on the occasion of Tayyeb's birthday.

The meeting was attended by the country's Mufti Shawqi Allam, the awqaf minister and senior Islamic scholars who accompanied the grand Imam to the Cathedral.

Source: MENA