Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, said that the study of a foreign language is not limited to gaining writing, speaking and listening skills, but rather extends to the study of all the values that cultures and civilizations carry, along with learning the history of nations. Thus, it is a means to replace hatred, tension, and intolerance with a culture of peace and acquaintance. During his meeting with Dr. Scott MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer of the British Council in the United Kingdom, on Wednesday at the headquarters of Al-Azhar, the Grand Imam added that we are ready to open a new horizon to strengthen cooperation with the British Council, noting that cooperation between Al-Azhar and the British Council began since 2007, and benefited 1,161 graduates of Al-Azhar authentic Faculties of  Theology, Arabic Language, Islamic Law, in addition to training teachers of English at Al-Azhar Institutes. 

On his part, the CEO of the British Council in the United Kingdom expressed his pleasure to meet the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, noting, “It is a great honor to visit Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif. I grew up in the Middle East and know very well what Al-Azhar represents to the Islamic world as a source of great value and a referential authority for the Muslims around the world. I hope that cooperation between the British Council and Al-Azhar will continue, and that the largest possible number of students and teachers at Al-Azhar benefit from this cooperation”. On the side-lines of the meeting, Prof. Muhammad Al-Dowini, Grand Imam’s Deputy, and Dr. Scott MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer of the British Council in the United Kingdom, cosigned a 3-year renewal of the cooperation protocol between Al-Azhar and the British Council, extending to March 2025 as the seventh phase of cooperation between the two parties. This protocol began with the establishment of Al-Azhar Center for English Language Teaching in 2007, and Al-Azhar English Training Centre for the teachers of Al-Azhar institutes during that period. So far, 4,600 teachers were trained along with outstanding students at Al-Azhar University, who were trained on constructive interfaith dialogue. The protocol also involves an academic scholarship program dedicated to the study of Islamic disciplines in the UK universities. It also stipulates the foundation of an English language teaching center in Luxor governorate next year, the development of the skills of English language teachers at Al-Azhar through a specially-designed program, along with launching a pilot program to develop English language skills for science and mathematics teachers, as well as launching a specialized English language program to enhance the language skills of teachers and students of Al-Azhar University on how to address climate change crisis and environmental awareness.The meeting was attended by Prof. Muhammad Al-Dowini, Grand Imam’s Deputy, Dr. Abdel Dayem Nuseir, Advisor to the Grand Imam for Scientific and Cultural Relations, and Ms. Ruth Cox, Deputy Director of the British Council in Cairo.