Egyptian imam says Islam rejects terrorism

CAIRO, May 20 (UPI) -- The grand imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo, in an effort to promote tolerance of Islam, said Monday that terrorism is rejected by the Islamic faith.

A delegation from the U.S. Military Academy met Monday with the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sheik Mohamed Sayyed Tantawi, at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. The U.S. delegation was visiting Egypt as part of a Middle East tour.

In an initiative to promote greater tolerance of Islam, Tantawi told the delegation that the Islamic faith rejects aggression, injustice and terrorism. He also said that believers of Islam are urged to cooperate with all divine religions, the Egyptian government reported.

"Terrorists are criminals who have nothing to do with any religion as they violate the sanctity of human souls," Tantawi said in a statement.

The grand imam said the curriculum at Al-Azhar University is based on tolerance and support for the rights of Muslims and people of other faiths.