“Muslims and Christians in the East make a united national fabric. Past dictatorial and despotic regimes have harmed both Muslims and Christians,” Dr. Tayyīb said during a meeting with Patriarch Gregory III Laham of the Church of Antioch on January 5.

The top Sunni Muslim cleric also appealed to businessmen to work on improving the living conditions of the poor.

“I only care about hungry people. I would say that the moderate nature of Egyptians would guarantee the safety of your money and investments. The Azhar will be supporting whoever works for the good of Egypt,” said D. Tayyīb during another meeting on January 5 with a delegation from the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association (EBA) under Husayn Sabbūr. [Muhammad ‘Abd al-Khāliq, al-Ahrām, Jan. 6, p. 11]