The Advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr. Ibrahim Negm, met with COMECE General Secretary,Rev. Fr. Patrick Daly, on the margin of his visit to the European Union. During the meeting, Dr. Negm said that the world is in desperate need for forums that encourage dialogue stemming from the recognition of identities and specificities, remains respectful, does net seek to foment the flames of hostility and hatred or assert supremacy on the other—a dialogue that embraces religious pluralism and cultural diversity.

He added that many people in the West confuse between religious edicts and defamatory statements issued by self-appointed muftis.

Dr. Negm explained that extremism and political violence in the Muslim world and elsewhere does not stem from religious teachings but from a complex set of factors that we need to understand in depth to be able to address those phenomena that threaten the entire world.