Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, met yesterday, Saturday, at his residence in the Italian capital, Rome, with Mr. Mohamed Youssoufou, the former president of Niger, a member of the jury of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity to discuss ways to support the African continent.

Al-Azhar Grand Imam stressed the importance of solidarity to find solutions to the conflicts and disputes from which our African continent suffers, which opened the door wide for the occupying countries to rob and seize the treasures and resources of our continent, the continent of gold and minerals. He pointed out that these conflicts have caused our peoples to retreat from the tracks of progress and civilization for centuries, stressing that the time has come for us to unite and do everything in our power for the progress and renaissance of Africa.

The Grand Imam added that Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif does all it can to support the African continent, by hosting international students to study at its institutes and universities, training African imams at Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers, and sending convoys and scientific, medical and awareness missions abroad. He pointed out that Al-Azhar has recently decided to train African teachers, preachers and physicians, and provide them with devices, equipment, and supplies to serve their people in a way that contributes to the advancement of the African continent at all levels.

For his part, the former President of Niger expressed his happiness at meeting the Grand Imam, pointing out that Al-Azhar through its curricula and envoys, forms a beacon that lights the African continent. He stressed that - through his position on the jury of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity - he will do his best to support the efforts of the Supreme Committee for Human Fraternity to direct its initiatives to the African continent. He promised to help the marginalized groups and the most needy, and to create models and role models for the world to follow in their footsteps. They will promote the values of peace, brotherhood, tolerance and equality so that the world and the African continent may enjoy more fraternity, progress and prosperity.