Professor Dr. Salama Gomaa Dawood, President of Al-Azhar University, received on Sunday morning, May 24, 2026, a delegation from the Coptic Orthodox Church headed by His Grace Bishop Ermia, General Bishop and President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, who came to extend greetings on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.
The delegation accompanying His Grace Bishop Ermia included Fr. Ermia Makram, Fr. Moussa Tamer, Major General Mohsen Wadie, Major General Sami Lotfy, Deacon Azmy Aryan, Deacon Cosman Fr. Hermenia, Deacon Raymond Ramses, Deacon Adel Ramses, and Mina Soliman, Secretary to Bishop Mina.
During the meeting, the President of the University welcomed His Grace Bishop Ermia and the accompanying delegation, expressing his appreciation for the visit, which reflects the depth of relations, love, and brotherhood uniting the people of the nation. He emphasized that such visits embody the values of national unity and promote a culture of coexistence and fruitful cooperation among all Egyptians.
The President of the University also noted that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, under the leadership of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, is always keen on promoting the values of tolerance, love, and peace, as well as spreading a culture of dialogue and coexistence among all people. He conveyed the greetings and appreciation of the Grand Imam for these fraternal visits.
For his part, His Grace Bishop Ermia, General Bishop and President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, congratulated the leadership and staff of Al-Azhar University on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, wishing Egypt continued security, stability, progress, and prosperity. He also praised the national and enlightening role played by Al-Azhar in spreading the values of moderation and tolerance and in reinforcing a culture of peace and coexistence among the people of the nation under the leadership of His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, who makes no distinction between Muslims and Christians in the noble services and care provided to all citizens of the homeland.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides exchanged greetings and prayers that God may return this blessed occasion upon Egypt and its people with goodness, blessings, and prosperity, and preserve the nation’s security and stability.
The meeting was attended on behalf of Al-Azhar University by the Vice Presidents of the University: Dr. Ramadan El-Sawy for Lower Egypt Affairs, Dr. Sayed Bakry for Education and Student Affairs, Dr. Mostafa Abdel Ghany for the Girls’ Branch, the University Secretary-General Mr. Mohamed Abdel Khaleq, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies for Boys in Cairo Dr. Ramadan Hassan, and Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry for Boys in Cairo Dr. Wael El-Mohandes.