Egypt State Information Service

To complete viewing the items of file on “Egypt and Religious Tolerance Culture”, we have to interview Dr. Ali Al Saman who can never be but Egypt-born, and his open mind and tolerant spirit can never be but of an Egyptian.

He is really an honest man and bearer of the hereditary gene of the tolerance of the deeply-rooted civilization of Egypt. It was the civilization of human consciousness dawn in its full sense.

It's not strange that he is, today, the Chairman of the International Dialogue for The Three Heavenly Religions and Peace Teaching Foundation. His story with the roots of tolerance and dialogue culture begins from his childhood.

He chose to be the sole Muslim student in a Copts' school annexed to a church in Tanta city in Egypt. At the same time, he was keen on keeping on the dawn prayer at the big Al Ahmadi Mosque, then going to school to hear the church bells.

That created his internal peace, which grew day after day until the day came on which he became a symbol of dialogue, peace, amity, tolerance and acceptance of the other, for the whole world and humanity. So, the questions to him were about dialogue among religions, its start, concepts and positive impact on the world.

A : “ On the personal level, dialogue among religions began with me as a way of living and conduct before being an idea in the mind. In my childhood, I insisted on leaving the government school after a year and joined a Coptic primary school annexed to a church in Tanta city, to be the only Muslim child among his Coptic brothers.

The nicest thing was that my grand-mother, who raised me in my childhood, immediately approved joining the Copts' school without hesitation. Hence, my long journey with dialogue among religions began, because my character was simultaneously affected by Sheikh Shebl, the Quran reciter, and Father Gerges, the school church pastor.

That was on the personal level. But on the official level, whether locally or internationally, I held a conference at the Sorbonne on June 13,1994, which is until today one of the dialogue references for those interested and pursuers, and was attended by hundreds of guests. The most important outcome was the logo which was most resonant in France and Europe. It was “We will not discriminate between the sons of Abraham… Not after today !!”. We particularly stressed, and it was one of our decisions, that dialogue is also deterring violence, extremism and terrorism. My aspiration, even dream at that time, was a self-bet on my ability to create, through dialogue, a kind of organized rapprochement between the house of Islam represented by Al Azhar and Catholic Christianity represented by the Vatican.”

A : “ Yes, honestly, I say that dialogue between Al Azhar and Vatican started in April, 1994, when I intentionally planned it, I admit, when my friend Cardinal (Kining) came from Vienna to visit the Sheikh of Al Azhar then,Sheikh Gad el Haq Ali Gad el Haq in Bern, to ask about his health, as he was receiving medical treatment in Switzerland.

Time was available for the two men to meet for five hours, after which I felt that a bridge of friendship and confidence has been built and extended between them. When the meeting was over, our late Sheikh said” Dr. Ali, this is a new presentation of the dialogue issues, I perceive, therefore the idea of cooperation between Al Azhar and Vatican can be discussed.”

A : “ Certainly, it had positive and very effective impact, hence, encouraged me to invite Cardinal Kining, Dr. Dalil Abu Bakr; Chief of Paris Mosque, Sheikh Gad el Haq and Dr. Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouk, present Minister of Waqfs, who was then Dean of the Faculty of Theology.

I also invited rabbi “Sirat”, who expressed his attitude towards the dialogue by saying: “ I am a professor of religions, and I've read every word in Qura'n and Hdith, and confirm that I didn't come across one word calling for violence or extremism or discarding the other”.

Cardinal Kining said: “ We learn from religions, and I learned from Islam”. Dr. Zaqzouk gave an impressive speech on the importance of dialogue in Islam. On the next day, Sheikh Gad el Haq called me and said:

“ I delegate you Dr. Ali to go to the Papal Council for Dialogue in Vatican, and never hesitate to fufill their request to open the door for dialogue before organizing it.”

A : “ To put that assignment by the Grand Sheikh into effect, I began a long journey with brothers and friends of Al Azhar men, depending on calm and prudent talk. I don't exaggerate if I say that it took me four years to do that. I was keen on forming a permanent committee for religions' dialogue at Al Azhar, concerned with signing the final agreement with Vatican.

The committee was actually formed headed by Sheikh Fawzi Al Zefzaf; Al Azhar Deputy. Preparation of the final texts of the agreement took about six months. That was accelerated by the success of the meeting between the Vatican delegation headed by Archbishop “Fitzgerlad” and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar; Dr. Sayed Tantawi, that set solid rule for dialogue, providing the search for common factors among religions to meet on inter-cooperation ground without offending creeds.

The unforgettable day was on May 28,1998, when this new document was signed at the premises of Vatican, by Sheikh Fawzi Al Zefzaf; Al Azhar Deputy and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Religions Dialogue, and Cardinal “Arinza” and Archbishop “Fitzgerald” from the Vatican.

On February 24,2000, the late Pope of Vatican paid a visit to Egypt, which in fact, represented a big step on the path of the Islamic- Christian dialogue that started in 1994. Then, on January 24,2002, I was the Pope's guest to make an address on behalf of Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar at Mass of Prayers for Peace in Italy, attended by representatives of 30 religions and spiritualities, and more that 2000 persons.”

A : “After signing the dialogue document between Al Azhar and the Vatican, a work group was formed; consisting of : Sheikh Fawzi el ZefZaf; Chairman of Al Azhar Permanent Committee for Dialogue, Dr. Mufid Hana Archbishop of the Bishopric Anglican Church in Egypt and North Africa and I, to form joint committee between Al Azhar and Canterbury Cathedral.

The Document was signed between them at “Lambat Palace” in London, at the presence of the Grand Imam; Dr. Muhammad Sayed Tantawi, and the Archbishop, therefore it was the first document signed by the Grand Imam himself.

After the signature the Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar met with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who confirmed that his government would do its best to consolidate the spirit, method and ethics of dialogue on the land of England, and that he regarded the agreement as a significant turning point in the history of Al Azhar and the Church, even in the history of both Islam and Christianity.”

A : “ I expect that one day such ideas on the religions' dialogue, which are taught in London, will be sponsored by an international foundation that has access to movements and effectuations; such as Davos Foundation. I don't bother to have the name of Davos Foundation or any other one. But, it is certainly a public issue and for the benefit of mankind.”

A : “ My big dream is that dialogue should have meaning and dimensions, and be an item of syllabuses taught in educational institutions, because it is the language of the age. As to the organizational side, international foundations for dialogue should agree on global thought and charter. I also dream of the day on which Al Azhar catches up with the train of globalization, and have a role, because it has a history of one thousand years.”