Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry greeted Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb on the anniversary of the establishment of Al Azhar Mosque that falls on the 7th of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

In a greeting cable to El Tayyeb, Shoukry said the Foreign Ministry respect the role of Al Azhar Al Sharif in promoting soft power in Egypt.

"We are closely following up Al Azhar Grand Imam's tour of Southeast Asia and its succesful outcome," he said.

He renewed the Foreign Ministry's paramount interest in consolidating cooperation and coordination with Al Azhar in all that could support Al-Azhar's message in disseminating the moderate teaching of Islam that renounces violence, extremism and terrorism.

MENA