According to al- Azhar, there is no progress in the relations with the Vatican other than some attempts to bypass Al-Azhar's position. Mohamed Azab, a counselor and Sheikh in al-Azhar, said that al-Azhar is waiting for an apology from the Vatican. Azab emphasized that they will not have any relations with the Vatican unless al-Azhar receives an apology. He also said the grand imam has not yet decided to visit Iran, and that al-Azhar holds nothing against Iran. In fact, al-Azhar was the first to bridge the gap between different Islamic doctrines. Azab also added that the grand imam, Ahmed al-Tayeb, said that Sunni Muslims can even pray behind Shia Muslims.