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.



Barrack Says Hezbollah Involvement in Iran-Israel War Would Be 'Very Bad Decision'

A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
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Barrack Says Hezbollah Involvement in Iran-Israel War Would Be 'Very Bad Decision'

A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)

The US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war between its main backer Iran and Israel.

"I can say on behalf of President (Donald) Trump... that would be a very, very, very bad decision," Barrack said, responding to a question on what the US position would be on any involvement by Hezbollah in the war.

Barrack met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace and Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.

Hezbollah has condemned Israel's strikes on Iran and expressed full solidarity with its leadership.

Hezbollah on Thursday expressed support for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following threats by Israeli leaders that he could be killed.

In a statement, Hezbollah said that “threats to assassinate (Khamenei) are foolish and reckless, and will have disastrous consequences.”

But the group has stopped short of making explicit threats to intervene.

Israel's defense minister said Thursday that Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist" after an Israeli hospital was hit during an Iranian missile attack.

"Khamenei openly declares that he wants Israel destroyed -- he personally gives the order to fire on hospitals. He considers the destruction of the state of Israel to be a goal," Israel Katz told journalists in Holon near Tel Aviv. "Such a man can no longer be allowed to exist."

Killing Khamenei would "end the conflict" between Israel and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.