CWN - Sheik Ahmed el Tayyeb, the head of Egypt's influential Al Azhar university, will visit Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II this weekend, to convey his greetings to Egypt's Christians as they celebrate Easter (according to the Orthodox calendar).

The imam's gesture is an important indication of support for Egypt's Copts, who have endured growing animosity from militant Muslims since the "Arab Spring" uprising that led to a change in Egypt's government. Al Azhar University is the world’s leading institution of Sunni Muslim thought.