Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received Nabila Makram, State Minister for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs in the presence of a number of heads and representatives of Egyptian universities to discuss the activation of the "Egypt is the Beginning of the Road" initiative. The meeting discussed mechanisms for activating the initiative which aims to communicate with leading intellects and political leaders around the world who have graduated from Egyptian universities, in addition to holding an international celebration in which these high-level political and intellectual figures participate to emphasize the prominent scientific and cultural role of Egypt.

His Eminence, the Grand Imam, stressed that the “Egypt is the Beginning of the Road” initiative is an important step to enhance the cultural role of Egypt in the world, and it enables Egypt to build a soft intellectual force of its university graduates around the world. He indicated that Al-Azhar spares no effort to make this initiative a success through its long experience in educating international students and communicating with them after their graduation through the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Immigration explained that the participation of Al-Azhar in the initiative would be most important because the largest number of expatriate students in Egypt receive their education at Al-Azhar University and institutes. In addition, Al-Azhar has a long-standing experience spanning over hundreds of years in educating and communicating with expatriates, in addition to the great status Al-Azhar enjoys around the world.