Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyib, Grand Imām of the Azhar, has agreed to a dialogue between the Azhar and the Catholic Church, following an official request by Bishop Yūhannā Qultah, Deputy Patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church, as directed by Bishop Antonius Najīb, Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria.

Rose al-Yūsuf has learned that Dr. Mahmūd ‘Azab, Counselor for Religious Dialogue to the Grand Imām, is coordinating with Qultah on how to conduct the dialogue.

Qultah said the proposed dialogue is different from the Azhar's dialogue with the Vatican, adding that while his church pertains to the Vatican, this would be an internal dialogue between the Muslims and Christians of Egypt.