Ahmed al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, renewed his criticism of the Vatican and western religious institutions Sunday, saying the world needs to invoke peaceful models of history. “Models that can contribute to spread the culture of understanding and knowledge between people, instead of looking for black moments in history to set them as examples to spread hatred and discrimination in the world,” said Tayeb. Tayeb also said that the West should drop the idea that religions and civilizations conflict, to stop being inspired by the dark ages and to stop insulting the Muslim prophet Mohamed. The Grand Imam praised the German author Goethe who was fascinated by the Holy Quran and the prophet Mohamed, and other Western authors who had a deep respect for Islam. Tayeb also mentioned Islam's credit in the West, and how it positively influenced academic institutions in the West.
