Members of the European delegation from the Committee of the Foreign Relations for East Affairs of the European Parliament under Marisa Matias have prasied - during a visit to Cairo - efforts exerted by Al Azhar to fight extremist thought and spread the culture of dialogue and the values of tolerance and mercy worldwide.

The delegation stressed the grand imam's tours and sermons he delivered had contributed to rectifying the false image of Islam in the west.

During talks with Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb on Monday, the EU delegation hailed the national and social role played by Azhar in Egypt and its contribution to achieving peace and security in the society.

Tayyeb, for his part, said Azhar acts to entrench the notion of citizenship among Egyptians and it is keen on achieving unity among all Muslims and surmount differences.

Islam is a religion of tolerance and mercy among people at large and not a religion of killing and bloodshed, as claimed by terrorist groups, he added.

Source: MENA