Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif received, on Monday morning, Mrs. Eve Paziba Massoudi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Water, Environment and Sustainable Development of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Grand Imam pointed out that Al-Azhar is keen to provide scholarly and missionary support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of its significant importance in Africa. HE stated that he had decided to double the scholarships granted to the students of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 40 instead of 20 annual scholarships, besides having the right to join practical colleges such as the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Medicine, etc. in addition to the other religious faculties.     

The Grand Imam highlighted that the students of the African continent have priority in the scholarships provided by Al-Azhar University. He also pointed out that the number of African students at Al-Azhar University is more than 5,500 studying religious disciplines as well as practical and scientific ones. HE explained how that, in turn, help supporting the countries of the continent to achieve their development goals in various fields and disciplines and to deliver the message of Al-Azhar, promote its moderate approach and combat extremism. 

On her part, the Congolese Deputy Prime Minister expressed her great appreciation to the Grand Imam for his prominent status in Africa and the world, along with the significant role of Al-Azhar in combating extremism and disseminating moderate thought, stressing her country's keenness to enhance cooperation with Al-Azhar to benefit from its moderate approach and long experience in supporting the values of peace and human fraternity.