Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb met on Tuesday with Brazilian Ambassador Marco Brandao, who handed him an invitation from Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to deliver a speech at the opening of the World Cup in July about peace and the need to renounce violence and intolerance in the world.
Al-Tayeb said in the meeting that Al-Azhar clarifies Islam, which calls for adhering to religious values and virtues and tolerating and accepting others. He urged Muslim communities in Brazil to integrate into Brazilian society while preserving their Islamic identity.
For his part, Brandao praised Al-Azhar for supporting peace and stability in the world and assured that Muslims in Brazil have mosques and associations and enjoy their freedom.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
