Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received a delegation of imams and preachers from Iraqi Kurdistan, who are trained at Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Eminence the Grand Imam welcomed Iraq’s Kurdish delegation of imams and preachers trained at Al-Azhar, stressing that scholars are the nucleus of reforming society, presenting the ideal image of Islam’s tolerance and moderation, which calls for the containment of the other, and the rejection of the culture of hatred.

His Eminence added that scholars are the most important pillars upon which the moderate message of Islam is based because they represent an impenetrable wall against extremist and destructive ideas, and they have the responsibility to refute the ideas adopted by extremist groups that have nothing to do with the tolerance of Islam.

The delegation members, for their part, expressed their appreciation for the Grand Imam’s efforts to establish the values of peace and coexistence among different cultures and civilizations. They also thanked His Eminence for receiving them at Al-Azhar and providing them with the necessary training to be able to convey and disseminate Al-Azhar’s message of moderation when they return to their own people.

It is noteworthy that Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif offers 25 scholarships annually to Iraqi students, and it currently has 52 Iraqi students studying in various disciplines at Al-Azhar University. Al-Azhar also established an Azharite institute in the Kurdish capital, Erbil, in 2008, practicing its educational and missionary role, and promoting Al-Azhar moderate approach in the region.