CAIRO: The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, met with the Egyptian intellectual Fahmy Howidi on Wednesday to discuss ways to communicate with Islamic movements within Egypt and abroad. After his meeting with al-Tayeb, Howidi said they had discussed how to communicate with the different Islamic currents within Egypt and abroad, as well as how to restore Al-Azhar's position as one of the world's leading Islamic institutions. He expressed his desire for Muslims around the world to connect with Al-Azhar. Howidi said it is necessary to bridge gaps between different Islamic schools and end the Islamic divisions which have opened the door for foreign interference in Islamic affairs by inciting sectarian strife between Sunnis and Shiites. Al-Tayeb expressed his desire to cooperate with all the Muslims of the world to achieve common interests. He said Al-Azhar has established a union for its graduates. With branches not only in Egypt, but all over the world, the union connects with all Al-Azhar graduates, regardless of their country, sect or school. The Grand Imam stressed that Al-Azhar is the house of the Muslim family and its doors are open to all.