Al-Azhar to participate in Pope Francis's funeral with a high-level delegation

His Eminence, the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, mourned Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, who passed away after a life filled with work for humanity, supporting the marginalized, the needy, and the oppressed, and advancing dialogue between different religions and cultures.

 

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar affirmed that Pope Francis was a humanitarian icon of the highest caliber, who loved Muslims and was dedicated to spreading peace.

 

Pope Francis's last statements were in defense of Palestine and the oppressed people of Gaza. His efforts contributed to advancing Islamic-Christian dialogue efforts, leading to the signing of the historic Document on Human Fraternity in 2019.

 

This came in a tweet by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in four languages: Arabic, English, Italian, and Spanish, published on his Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

He wrote: "Today, the world has lost a humanitarian icon of the highest caliber, our dear friend, His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, who dedicated his life to serving humanity, championing the causes of the weak, refugees, and the oppressed, and supporting dialogue and understanding between different religions and cultures. He loved Muslims and was dedicated to spreading peace. His last statements were in defense of Palestine and the oppressed people of Gaza. His efforts contributed to advancing Islamic-Christian dialogue efforts, leading to the signing of the historic Document on Human Fraternity in 2019."  

 

My sincere condolences to the family of the late Pope Francis and to the followers of the Catholic Church around the world.