The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, affirmed that Shias are brothers in faith and do not require any documents or declarations to confirm their place as a cherished and integral part of the Islamic nation. He emphasized that the differences between Sunnis and Shias are differences of thought and opinion, not differences in the essence of religion.

These remarks were made during an interview with Al-Azhar Voice newspaper, in which Dr. Al-Tayeb explained that Al-Azhar had launched an initiative titled “The Call of the People of the Qibla” aimed at strengthening scholarly unity among the various Islamic schools of thought. He noted that strong academic and fraternal relationships link Al-Azhar with a number of Shia religious authorities, reflecting the depth of communication and cooperation between scholars from both sides.

The Grand Imam added that meaningful progress in inter-Islamic dialogue could be achieved in the near future, particularly in the Arab world. In this context, he pointed to the upcoming second round of the inter-Islamic dialogue conference, scheduled to be held in Cairo in April.

Clarifying the nature of Sunni–Shia differences, Dr. Al-Tayeb reiterated: “The difference between us and our Shia brothers is a difference of thought and opinion, not a division in religion.” He also cited a prophetic tradition that calls for harmony, mutual love, and the spreading of peace among Muslims.

In the same interview, the Grand Imam addressed the broader issue of Islamic unity, stressing that division among Muslims serves only the interests of their adversaries. He underscored that strengthening ties between Sunnis and Shias is in the best interest of the entire Islamic nation and is essential for preserving its unity and strength.