Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmad el-Tayyeb has said a suitable solution to achieve coexistence among the people of Central African Republic (CAR) is a priority of al-Azhar.
"The religious institution stands fully ready to contribute to achieving what could lead to peace among the CAR people," he said.
This came in a statement issued by Al-Azhar following Tayyeb's meeting with CAR President Catherine Samba-Panza along with her accompanying delegation.
The two sides, meanwhile, discussed ways of boosting ties between Al-Azhar and CAR.
Tayyeb also said that Muslims and Coptic Christians lived in Egypt for more than 14 centuries and history did not mention any confrontations which took place between the two sides due to religion.
He further pointed out to the crucial role played by the Egyptian Family House in nipping in the bud any attempt to foment
sedition.
The CAR president, for her part, said that peace was prevailing in her country, which included Muslims and Christians, but there were some parties sowing conflict among the nation parts.
Efforts are being exerted with the help of the UN and African countries to restore peace and stability, she said, adding that conditions started to return to normal.
CAR is in need of Al-Azhar's experience in the Egyptian Family House, which managed to unite the Egyptians, she said.
The Family House is an anti-sectarian project launched by Al-Azhar following the terrorist bombing of the Two Saints Church in Alexandria on New Year’s Eve.
The House's committee comprises both Muslim and Coptic Christian scholars that aim to unite Egyptians and work to find solutions to sectarianism.
Source: MENA