CAIRO - Egypt's Al-Azhar, the world's prominent seat of Sunni Islam, and the Coptic Christians reject calls for sectarian strife and urge Egyptians, Muslims and Christians alike, to be committed to unity and ignore 'imported sectarian rumours', said Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb, the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar and Pope Shenouda III. Shenouda Sunday paid a courtsey visit to Al-Azhar's Sheikhdom, where he congratulated el-Tayyeb on the Eid el-Adha (the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice), which starts on Tuesday. "We hope the feast of sacrifice will be a happy oc-casion for Egyptian Muslims and Christians," Shenouda said. The visit by the pontiff coincides with the 39th anniversary of his ordination as pope. "The Eid el-Adha and Pope Shenouda's 39th ordination are two feasts for Egyptians," el-Tayyeb said. Security around Coptic churches in Egypt has been tightened since al-Qaeda terror group threatened to target Egyptians churches. This threat has also been condemned by President Hosni Mubarak, who pledged to protect Copts in Egypt. Copts make up around 10 per cent of Egypt's 80 million population.