March 12, 2010

Sheikh Mohammed Sayyid Tantawi, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar mosque and head of the al-Azhar University "will be remembered with great respect and appreciation for his remarkable contribution to Islamic scholarship, for his prominent role and genuine commitment to intercultural and inter-religious dialogue," World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit wrote in a condolence letter to the Ulama' of al-Azhar al-Sharif on 11 March.

The sheik died on 10 March of a heart attack at age 81. Since 1996 he had been the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar mosque, one of the most influential and important Sunni Muslim institutions.

In 2008, Sheikh Tantawi had met with a WCC delegation including the then general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.

Full text of the condolence letter: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?id=2267&rid=f_15592&mid=1999&aC=c416b25e&jumpurl=1.

WCC press release of 26 June 2008: Church unity and inter-religious dialogue discussed at WCC visit to Egypt: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?id=2267&rid=f_15592&mid=1999&aC=c416b25e&jumpurl=2.

World Council of Churches