Pope Jean Paul II receives Dr. Aly El-Samman at peace prayer
Assisi - January 27, 2002
Assisi - January 27, 2002
ADIC, Al-Azhar and The Vatican
ADIC’s work in bringing together Al-Azhar and the Vatican began in the early 1990s when Dr. Aly El-Samman organized a series of three meetings between the two organizations with the aim of creating an official agreement for dialogue. The meetings took place in Bern, Paris and Cairo, respectively. After the first meeting in April 1994, Dr. El-Samman commented, “Through the grace of God, a positive current passed between Sheikh Gadelhaq Aly Gadelhaq, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar; and Cardinal Franz Koenig, from the Sacred College at the Vatican. In the space of two meetings of three hours each, a real climate of confidence was born.”
Dr. El-Samman then assisted Al-Azhar in creating the Permanent Committee of Al-Azhar for Dialogue with the Monotheistic Religions. Finally, after four years of relationship building and negotiations, an agreement between Al-Azhar and the Vatican was signed on May 28, 1998. This agreement strives to create a spirit of fraternity, solidarity, justice and peace between Christians and Muslims throughout the world.
A notable result of the official agreement was the historic visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif on February 24, 2000. Dr. El-Samman played a pivotal role in the Pope’s first visit to this 1,000-year old institution - the unequivocal religious and moral authority of the Sunni Muslim world.
The Joint Committee for Dialogue between Al-Azhar and the Vatican continues to meet every year to pursue actions based on the common values of all monotheistic religions.
ADIC’s work in bringing together Al-Azhar and the Vatican began in the early 1990s when Dr. Aly El-Samman organized a series of three meetings between the two organizations with the aim of creating an official agreement for dialogue. The meetings took place in Bern, Paris and Cairo, respectively. After the first meeting in April 1994, Dr. El-Samman commented, “Through the grace of God, a positive current passed between Sheikh Gadelhaq Aly Gadelhaq, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar; and Cardinal Franz Koenig, from the Sacred College at the Vatican. In the space of two meetings of three hours each, a real climate of confidence was born.”
Dr. El-Samman then assisted Al-Azhar in creating the Permanent Committee of Al-Azhar for Dialogue with the Monotheistic Religions. Finally, after four years of relationship building and negotiations, an agreement between Al-Azhar and the Vatican was signed on May 28, 1998. This agreement strives to create a spirit of fraternity, solidarity, justice and peace between Christians and Muslims throughout the world.
A notable result of the official agreement was the historic visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif on February 24, 2000. Dr. El-Samman played a pivotal role in the Pope’s first visit to this 1,000-year old institution - the unequivocal religious and moral authority of the Sunni Muslim world.
The Joint Committee for Dialogue between Al-Azhar and the Vatican continues to meet every year to pursue actions based on the common values of all monotheistic religions.
Agreement between the Vatican and Al-Azhar Joint Committee for Dialogue
Vatican City - May 28, 1998 AGREEMENT between the Pontifical Council For Interreligious Dialogue (Vatican City) and the Permanent Committee of Al-Azhar for Dialogue with the Monotheistic Religions (Cairo) for the Creation of a Joint Committee for Dialogue. |
Al-Azhar Welcomes His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Al-Azhar, Cairo - February 24, 2000 His Holiness Pope John Paul II met with His Eminence Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawy, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, during the Pope’s historic trip to Egypt. The meeting took place on Thursday, February 24, 2000, and marked the first time a pontiff has been to Al-Azhar or to Egypt. |
Grand Imam Tantawy addresses Pope John Paul II and his delegation from the Vatican
Al-Azhar, Cairo - February 24, 2000 His Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawy received His Holiness Pope John Paul II and his delegation at Al-Azhar. During this historic visit, the Grand Imam made the following speech. |
Pope John Paul II addresses Grand Imam Mohamed Sayed Al Tantawy
Al-Azhar, Cairo - February 24, 2000 After visiting Coptic Pope Shenouda III, Pope John Paul II met with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Al Tantawy. At the end of his meeting with the Grand Imam, the Holy Catholic Father made a few extemporaneous remarks in English. |