Al-Azhar's Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb on Wednesday (January 2nd) visited the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo to greet Pope Tawadros II ahead of the Coptic Orthodox Christmas celebration on January 7th, Egypt’s Ahram online reported.
Al-Tayeb, who was accompanied by top clerics from Al-Azhar, said the exchange of visits between Muslims and Christians are in accordance with the teachings of Islam, which urge followers to communicate with their fellow countrymen.
Tawadros II expressed his sincere appreciation for the visit, pointing out that mutual love and compassion between Muslims and Christians is "God's grace to the Egyptian people".
Coptic Egyptians, who make up 90% of the country’s Christians, celebrate Christmas on January 7th, with a minority of non-orthodox Christian Egyptians observing the holiday on December 25th.
