Azhar, Vatican Underscore Efforts to Cement Principles of Dialogue

Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and Pope Francis. (Al-Azhar Media Office)
Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and Pope Francis. (Al-Azhar Media Office)
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Azhar, Vatican Underscore Efforts to Cement Principles of Dialogue

Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and Pope Francis. (Al-Azhar Media Office)
Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and Pope Francis. (Al-Azhar Media Office)

Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and Pope Francis stressed that they would continue their efforts to cement the principles of dialogue.

According to a statement by al-Azhar, the Grand Imam and the Pope discussed the religious, humanitarian, and moral issues in today's world and the challenges posed by global changes and developments.

They discussed the vital role of religious leaders and scholars in reducing division and tensions worldwide and confronting extremist ideas.

They expressed their keenness to continue the constructive dialogue, cooperation, solidarity, and fraternity as mentioned in the historic Human Fraternity Document announced by Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Many challenges require strength and determination to endure hardships and difficulties, they indicated, adding that returning to the teachings of religions is the way to save the world from extremism and division.

According to al-Azhar, the Grand Imam and the Pope praised the efforts and initiatives of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity in activating and consolidating the values of the document for coexistence among human beings.

On Monday, the Vatican, in cooperation with the British and Italian embassies, hosted a meeting on climate change entitled "Faith and Science: Towards COP26 Summit", which was held ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) on November 1-12 in Glasgow, Scotland.

The meeting was attended by various religious international leaders and scholars, who signed a joint appeal urging governments to commit to ambitious targets at the COP26 while promising to do their part to lead their faithful into more sustainable behavior.

The joint appeal called on those concerned to create practical solutions to save Earth from an "unprecedented ecological crisis" and work hard to reinforce the solidarity between developing and developed countries, reduce the risks posed by climate change, and promote common ethical values to address this crisis.

Sheikh Ahmed launched an appeal to denounce any activity that negatively affects the environment or worsens climate change while calling on religious leaders to perform their religious duty to address the crisis.



Syria President Vows those Involved in Church Attack will Face Justice

The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
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Syria President Vows those Involved in Church Attack will Face Justice

The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed Monday that those involved in a "heinous" suicide attack on a Damascus church a day earlier would face justice, calling for unity in the country.

The shooting and suicide bombing Sunday at the church in the working-class Dwelaa district of the Syrian capital killed 25 people and wounded 63, the health ministry said, raising an earlier toll of 22 killed.

The authorities said the attacker was affiliated with the Islamic State group.

"We promise... that we will work night and day, mobilising all our specialized security agencies, to capture all those who participated in and planned this heinous crime and to bring them to justice," Sharaa said in a statement, AFP reported.

The attack "reminds us of the importance of solidarity and unity of the government and the people in facing all that threatens our nation's security and stability", he added.

Condemnation has continued to pour in from the international community after the attack -- the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.

It was also the first inside a church in Syria since the country's civil war erupted in 2011, according to a monitor, in a country where security remains one of the new authorities' greatest challenges.

Since the new authorities took power, the international community has repeatedly urged the government to protect minorities and ensure their participation in Syria's transition, particularly after sectarian violence in recent months.