Pubblichiamo di seguito il messaggio di cordoglio per la morte del Grande Imam e Sceicco di Al-Azhar, Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, che il Santo Padre Benedetto XVI ha fatto pervenire allo Sceicco Muhammad Abd al-Aziz Wasil, Wakil Al-Azhar, il Cairo, tramite il Cardinale Segretario di Stato Tarcisio Bertone:

His Excellency Sheikh Muhammad Abd al-Aziz Wasil

Wakil Al-Azhar

CAIRO

Your Excellency,

Having learned of the sudden death of the Grand Imam and Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, Pope Benedict XVI has asked me to convey to your community and to the family of Sheikh Tantawi his heartfelt and prayerful condolences. He recalls the distinguished figure of this religious leader, who for long years was a valued partner in the dialogue between Muslims and Catholics.

I willingly express my own condolences and I recall with gratitude the impulse which the late Sheikh gave to the meetings between the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Permanent Committee of Al-Azhar for Dialogue.

With the assurance of my high consideration, I remain

Yours sincerely,

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

Secretary of State

[00327-02.01] [Original text: English]

[B0137-XX.01]