One of the world's most influential Muslims, the grand imam of Egypt's prestigious Al-Azhar mosque, will reject violence and extremism during a 'peace mission' to Rome next week.
Ahmad al-Tayyeb will back moderate Islam during a meeting with Italy's president Sergio Mattarella and an address to Italian parliament on Wednesday, the Al-Azhar said in a statement.
Tayyeb's lecture to Italian lawmakers will focus on the theme of "religions and peace," the statement said.
The Rome visit is part of Tayyeb's efforts to build dialogue between East and West "based on mutual respect and acceptance that strengthens the principles of democracy and freedom and the right of every man to live in peace," the statement concluded.
The Al-Azhar mosque and university is the highest authority in Sunni Islam and Tayyeb, considered to be one of the most moderate Sunni clerics in Egypt , has been ranked among the world's top ten most influential Muslims.
The Jordan-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre think-tank's recent annual ranking included Tayyeb along with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Hajj Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other heavyweights.
