According to MENA, Grand Shaykh of the Azhar Ahmad al-Tayīb announced that the Azhar’s relations with the Vatican will remain frozen until Pope Benedict XVI apologizes for statements concerning Muslims that he had made earlier this year.
In response to attacks that targeted Christians in Egypt, Pope Benedict XVI had called on governments in the Middle East to protect their Christian minorities - a move that was perceived by the Azhar as an inappropriate interference in domestic affairs, which thereupon suspended its interfaith dialogue with the Vatican.
[Reviewer's Note: New story was also covered by al-Ahrām, page 3, April 13, 2011; and al-Akhbār, page 10, April 13, 2011]
Read original text
For background information read articles, such as:
Muslim Scholars Support Azhar Vatican Dialogue Freeze
The Grand Imām and the Pope
Vatican Studies Azhar's Decision to Freeze Dialogue, Egyptian Churches Demand Continued Meetings
