Cairo Jan 5 (Aswat Masriya) - Egyptian President Adel Fattah al-Sisi stressed in a meeting with Gregorios III Laham, the patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, on Monday that the acts of "terrorism" in the name of religion violate Islam's teachings.

He told the Catholic patriarch and other church officials that "the teachings of Islam call for righteousness, piety, and staying away from sin and aggression in addition to the good treatment of those who belong to the Semitic religions."

Al-Sisi stated that Egypt is keen on upholding tolerance and cooperation of different religious values.

On his part, Gregorios said that it is important to promote interfaith dialogue, especially in light of the complex regional and global situation. He added that it is necessary to reach a peaceful solution to all the Middle East crises.

Gregorios, a Syrian, emphasised the need to reach a peaceful solution to the Syrian cirsis.  

Egypt's presidential spokesperson, Alaa Youssef, said in a statement that the meeting dealt with the ways and mechanisms through which inter-religious dialogue and tolerance can be promoted, considering the joint efforts to fight extremist ideas during these times.  

Christians in Egypt, who include Orthodox Christians, Protestants and Catholics, make up approximately 10 percent of the population. The Coptic Orthodox community, who constiute the largest bulk of the Egyptian Christian minority, celebrate Christmas on January 7 every year.