In response to COVID-19 crisis, Egypt’s Azhar, Vatican call for Day of Prayer

CAIRO - 2 May 2020: The high committee to implement the objectives of the Human Fraternity Document between Egypt’s Al-Azhar Institution and the Vatican city called upon all clergymen of all religions and people worldwide for a day of prayer and supplication on May 14 to God to eradicate the crisis of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As per a joint statement, the two religious institutions called upon all people to pray to Allah, asking Him to eradicate this pandemic and to help scientists reach treatment for the coronavirus disease.

In February 2019, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders Ahmad el Tayeb and Pope Francis signed the document.

On the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when the Muslims worldwide fast from dusk to dawn worldwide, Pope Francis extended his greetings to Grand Imam of Al Azhar.

Both religious figures discussed the ways of strengthening global solidarity against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2017, Pope Francis paid Egypt a two-day visit and he gave a speech at al-Azhar institution. The visit had an aim to foster reconciliation with the Muslim world following recent attacks against the Middle East’s biggest Christian community.

It marks Pope Francis as the first pontiff to visit Al-Azhar institution since Pope John Paul II in 2000.