Al-Azhar, Vatican Agree to Fight Extremism, Hatred

Tayeb during his meeting with the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican (Al-Azhar)
Tayeb during his meeting with the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican (Al-Azhar)
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Al-Azhar, Vatican Agree to Fight Extremism, Hatred

Tayeb during his meeting with the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican (Al-Azhar)
Tayeb during his meeting with the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican (Al-Azhar)

Al-Azhar and the Vatican have agreed to continue efforts to fight extremism and hatred, pointing to their ongoing work to ensure that love and stability prevail across the world.

This came during a meeting at Al-Azhar in Cairo on Saturday, between Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb and Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a specialist in Islamic studies.

Vatican ambassador in Egypt Archbishop Nicholas Henry attended the meeting.

“The relationship between Al-Azhar and the Vatican remains an effective and real model for spreading tolerance and peace and confronting extremism, hatred, wars and conflicts,” Tayeb said, adding that the road of peace and dialogue is full of hardships.

He added that the world is in dire need for the values of brotherhood, peaceful coexistence and respect in order to achieve stability.

In October, Al-Azhar Grand Imam and Pope Francis met on the sidelines of the meeting on climate change entitled “Faith and Science: Towards COP26 Summit.”

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 a statement by Al-Azhar on Saturday, Tayeb said that “the leaders and scholars have a religious and societal duty to confront negative phenomena, especially with regard to moral aspects.”

Al-Azhar and the Vatican will take the necessary steps and measures to implement the articles mentioned in the historic Human Fraternity Document announced by Abu Dhabi in 2019.



France Says Algeria Threatening to Expel Diplomatic Staff 

This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
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France Says Algeria Threatening to Expel Diplomatic Staff 

This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)

France said on Monday that Algeria had threatened to expel 12 of its diplomatic staff and that it would take immediate reprisals should that occur in the latest flare-up between them.

Algeria protested over the weekend against Frances's detention of an Algerian consular agent suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an Algerian. French media said three people, including the diplomat, were under investigation over the seizure of Algerian government opponent Amir Boukhors.

"The Algerian authorities are demanding that 12 of our agents leave Algerian territory within 48 hours," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a statement.

"If the decision to expel our agents is maintained, we will have no choice but to respond immediately."

There was no immediate confirmation from Algeria of an imminent expulsion.

France's relations with its former colony have long been complicated, but took a turn for the worse last year when French President Emmanuel Macron angered Algeria by backing Morocco's position over the disputed Western Sahara region.

Only last week, Barrot had said ties were returning to normal after a visit to Algeria.