His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received Makram Mohamed Ahmed, Head of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, accompanied by a delegation of African media professionals and journalists.

The Grand Imam said that the media form one of the most important and influential tools of modern culture for confronting the major challenges that face Africa, pointing out that everyone is counting on the African media now to support rapprochement and communication between the countries of the continent and among its peoples, achieving their unity, and defending their interests.

Through its curricula, institutes and envoys spread across the continent, Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif spares no effort to combat the extremist thought prevalent in a number of African countries, says His Eminence, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He pointed out that Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif decided to form a committee specialized in African affairs, on the occasion of Egypt’s assumption of the presidency of the African Union, whose mission is to invest and employ all the elements of Al-Azhar's weight in Africa to keep pace with the Egyptian moves towards Africa.

The Grand Imam explained that Al-Azhar is carrying out its duty towards the African continent, and that about five thousand African students study at Al-Azhar, which has 16 institutes in Africa to apply its moderate curriculum.

In addition, Al-Azhar sends medical and relief convoys to various African countries, and it has designed a program to train African imams and Islamic preachers to confront extremist thought and the various challenges their societies face.

Journalist and writer Makram Muhammad Ahmed, for his part, praised the role of Al-Azhar in caring for the people of the African continent studying at Al-Azhar, and the important role played by the Grand Imam in disseminating the values of world peace, and calling for coexistence and dialogue among all people of different religions and cultures.

At the end of the meeting, the Grand Imam answered a number of questions from African media professionals and journalists who expressed their appreciation for Al-Azhar’s educational, missionary and humanitarian role, as well as the efforts of the Grand Imam to establish the values of peace and coexistence. The delegation members also affirmed their confidence in Egypt's ability and its political leadership to promote joint African action during its presidency of the African Union because of its capabilities and ancient history.

Afterwards, the African delegation visited Al-Azhar Global Fatwa Center to learn about its efforts in combating extremist ideas and odd fatwas, praising its role in correcting misconceptions and dismantling ideas and fallacies promoted by extremist groups.