CAIRO, April 8, 2018 - THE Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb, has emphasized that celebrating Egyptian feasts serves as a reminder that Egyptians are one people holding a common message of peace and facing the same challenges that include in the foremost the ideas that are alien to the people of Egypt and are meant to distance Egyptians from religion and faith. Religion, Sheikh Tayyeb said, represents a matter of importance for Egyptians, be they Muslims or Christians. The Grand Imam's remarks came as he visited the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo's eastern district of Abbasiyya yesterday to congratulate the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Patriarch of the Holy See of St. Mark, Pope Twadros II, on the occasion of celebrating Easter. For his part, Pope Twadros II expressed appreciation for Sheikh al-Tayyeb's congratulations as well as for his keenness on sharing the Christians in celebrating their occasions. The exchange of visits, said the Pope, reflects the unity and cohesiveness of Egyptians and reveals that large extent of affinity between them. Pope Twadros led the Easter Mass at the St. Mark Cathedra on St. Mark as Coptic citizens celebrated the occasion across the nation. In the visit to the Cathedral and Pope Twadros II yesterday, Sheikh al-Tayyeb led a high-powered delegation representing al-Azhar. Also taking part in the visit were the All Egypt Mufti, Dr. Shawqi Allam, the Waqfs Minister Dr. M. Mukhtar Gomaa and the president of al-Azhar University, Dr. M. al-Mahrasawi. Also yesterday, Pope Twadros II received House of Deputies Speaker Dr. Ali Abdel-Aal and an accompanying delegation of parliament members who visited the Papal seat to convey Easter congratulations. Pope Twadros welcomed the parliamentary visit as evidencing the true spirit of Egyptians. Such visits, he added, widen the feelings of celebration. Noting that Egyptians have since the early history been closely tied to each other, House Speaker Abdel-Aal said that the people of Egypt moved on June 30, 2013 to restore Egypt to its right path. The parliament, he added, is now acting continuously to deepen the principle of citizenship and that action in this direction has inter alia produced the law that regulates the construction of houses of worship. He also praised the person of Pope Twadros II as a man who enjoys the love of all people. The Defence Minister and Commander-General of the Armed Forces, General Sidqi Sobhi, and the Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammed Farid have meanwhile sent cables of Easter congratulations to Pope Twadros. In these cables, they expressed the Armed forces' estimation and appreciation of Pope Twadros II's patriotic stands which emphasise that the people of Egypt, Muslims and Christians, are one fabric. A statement posted on the Armed Forces' Facebook page said the Defence Minister and the CoS issued directives for the conveyance of congratulations to Coptic commanders, officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and other Armed forces personnel.
