Azhar’s Sheikh: Congratulating Christians on Holidays Comes from Understanding Islam

Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb exchange a joint statement on "human fraternity" after a meeting at the Founder's Memorial in UAE (AP Photo)
Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb exchange a joint statement on "human fraternity" after a meeting at the Founder's Memorial in UAE (AP Photo)
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Azhar’s Sheikh: Congratulating Christians on Holidays Comes from Understanding Islam

Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb exchange a joint statement on "human fraternity" after a meeting at the Founder's Memorial in UAE (AP Photo)
Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb exchange a joint statement on "human fraternity" after a meeting at the Founder's Memorial in UAE (AP Photo)

Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayyeb announced that congratulating Christians on holidays is not out of courtesy or formalities but rather "comes from our understanding of the teachings of our true religion."

The Grand Imam explained that the relationship between Muslims and Christians is a true embodiment of unity and brotherhood and that this brotherhood will always remain the solid bond that strengthens the country against difficulties and challenges.

He stated that Islam is the religion of mercy, and Christianity is the religion of love, and they cooperate and embrace a world of tolerance and peace.

In remarks to the "Voice of al-Azhar" magazine, Tayyeb indicated that the legitimacy of war in Islam is not limited to the defense of mosques only, somewhat equally legitimate to defend churches and synagogues.

Tayyeb added: "Restricting non-Muslims in their food and drink during the day in Ramadan on the pretext of fasting is an absurdity that does not suit and does not relate to Islam."

The Imam stressed that the extremist ideology has nothing to do with Islam, highlighting that those who forbid congratulating Christians on their holidays are not familiar with the philosophy of Islam in dealing with others in general and with Christians in particular.

Controversy arose in Egypt after a Christian family accused a restaurant of refusing to serve them during a Ramadan day.

Tayyeb said that al-Azhar sees absolutely nothing wrong with building churches as there is nothing in the Quran or the Prophetic Sunnah that forbids this matter, and therefore al-Azhar cannot interfere to prevent the building of a church.

On Easter Sunday, the Grand Imam extended greetings to Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese, and the Christian people.

During a phone call with the pope, Tayyeb praised the relations between Muslims and Christians in Egypt, saying they genuinely embody unity and brotherly ties.

He added that the brotherly ties between the two components of the national fabric would remain as a firm bond bringing them together to face challenges and difficulties.

He also affirmed that his greeting for Christian people is based on a proper understanding of the Islamic religion.

Pope Tawadros expressed happiness with Azhar Sheikh's phone call and the permanent renewal of the friendship and love bonds between the solid national fabric that gathers Muslims and Christians in Egypt.

The Coptic pope also praised the cooperation and relations between al-Azhar and the Church in all fields.



Kurdish Fighters Leave Northern City in Syria as Part of Deal with Central Government

A first contingent of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters leave Aleppo, headed for SDF-controlled northeastern Syria, in Aleppo, Syria, 04 April 2025. (EPA)
A first contingent of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters leave Aleppo, headed for SDF-controlled northeastern Syria, in Aleppo, Syria, 04 April 2025. (EPA)
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Kurdish Fighters Leave Northern City in Syria as Part of Deal with Central Government

A first contingent of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters leave Aleppo, headed for SDF-controlled northeastern Syria, in Aleppo, Syria, 04 April 2025. (EPA)
A first contingent of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters leave Aleppo, headed for SDF-controlled northeastern Syria, in Aleppo, Syria, 04 April 2025. (EPA)

Scores of US-backed Kurdish fighters left two neighborhoods in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo Friday as part of a deal with the central government in Damascus, which is expanding its authority in the country.

The fighters left the predominantly Kurdish northern neighborhoods of Sheikh Maksoud and Achrafieh, which had been under the control of Kurdish fighters in Aleppo over the past decade.

The deal is a boost to an agreement reached last month between Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led authority that controls the country’s northeast. The deal could eventually lead to the merger of the main US-backed force in Syria into the Syrian army.

The withdrawal of fighters from the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) came a day after dozens of prisoners from both sides were freed in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city.

Syria’s state news agency, SANA, reported that government forces were deployed along the road that SDF fighters will use to move between Aleppo and areas east of the Euphrates River, where the Kurdish-led force controls nearly a quarter of Syria.

Sheikh Maksoud and Achrafieh had been under SDF control since 2015 and remained so even when forces of ousted President Bashar al-Assad captured Aleppo in late 2016. The two neighborhoods remained under SDF control when forces loyal to current interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa captured the city in November, and days later captured the capital, Damascus, removing Assad from power.

After being marginalized for decades under the rule of the Assad family rule, the deal signed last month promises Syria’s Kurds “constitutional rights,” including using and teaching their language, which were banned for decades.

Hundreds of thousands of Kurds, who were displaced during Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war, will return to their homes. Thousands of Kurds living in Syria who have been deprived of nationality for decades under Assad will be given the right of citizenship, according to the agreement.

Kurds made up 10% of the country’s prewar population of 23 million. Kurdish leaders say they don’t want full autonomy with their own government and parliament. They want decentralization and room to run their day-to day-affairs.