The Islamic Research Academy
from the State University Al-Azhar decided, during a special meeting
held this morning in Cairo, to suspend dialogue with the Vatican.
Academy member, Abdel Muti al-Bayoumi, told Aki agency, "this decision
was made in response to the position taken by Pope Benedict XVI on
Islam."
In this regard, al-Bayoumi recalled the Pope’s controversial
Regensburg address of 2006.
The Al-Azhar academic added that the
decision also takes into account, " the recent unacceptable interference
(the Pope, ed), who sought protection for Coptic Christians," after the
massacre in Alexandria. The Islamic theologian has therefore asked Pope
Benedict XVI to "resume relations with Islam following the lead of his
predecessor, Pope John Paul II."
"I hope he takes the same position - he
said - because he was very interested in our activities and the Joint
Committee between al-Azhar and the Vatican at the time was very active."
Egyptian religious did not particularly like " interference in the
affairs of Egypt and the fact that Islam was described in the wrong way.
We are still waiting for an apology over these two questions."
Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, interviewed by AsiaNews,
said: "The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, is gathering
the necessary information to assess the situation, since it had not
received any prior communication on the part of ' Al Azhar University in
reference to the problem. "
Father Lombardi also explained that "The
position of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and the
Holy See, even now remains the same as always, and that is an attitude
of openness and readiness for dialogue."
The Al Azhar decision comes just days after the Egyptian
government’s criticism of the Vatican.
This was sparked by Benedict XVI
mentioning the tragedy of the attack to the church of Alexandria in his
speech to the diplomatic corps (see 10/01/2011 Pope: Religious freedom attacked by terrorism and marginalisation).
Egypt recalled its ambassador, demanding that the Vatican not intervene in the country’s internal affairs (12/01/2011 Cairo protests against the Vatican. Another Christian killed and five wounded).
Benedict XVI was also criticised by the Imam of Al Azhar
University January 1 last. According to Ahmed al-Tayyeb, the pope in his
New Year’s homily only appealed for the defence of Christians, failing
to concern himself with the Muslims in Iraq.
Even Arab leaders, who met yesterday in Sharm el-Sheikh, while
condemning the "terrorist" attacks on Christians in Egypt and Iraq,
warned against "foreign interference on the issue of minority rights".
SIC: AN/INT'L