Mr. Welch visited Dr. Tantawi in June and discussed the issue of sending some of the Azhar imams to the United States during Ramadan. The Azhar refused to send imams after September 11 because they were largely insulted in the US and were obliged to take off their shoes and turbans. Mr. Welch apologized to the Azhar last August, expressing the US desire of receiving imams, to enlighten the Muslim community.