Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam Rejects meeting U.S. Vice President Mike Pence

Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb rejected a meeting requested by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in protest against a U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Al Azhar said in a statement on Friday.

Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb had rejected a request from the United States for Pence to meet him on Dec. 20 at Al Azhar saying President Donald Trump must reverse his decision on Jerusalem.

Yesterday, a senior Palestinian official in President Mahmoud Abbas’ ruling Fatah party said Pence “is unwelcome in Palestine”.

Trump announced on Wednesday that the US will recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and intends to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city. Pence appeared alongside Trump during his speech from the White House.