His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received Dr. Hisham El-Sherif, Minister of Local Development, at the headquarters of Al-Azhar. The Grand Imam stated that the Ministry of Local Development undertakes a vital role, making great efforts to bring about a qualitative leap in the governorates across the country. He added that the ministry bears a great responsibility towards developing villages and hamlets, praising the new mechanisms and plans for the advancement of villages and underdeveloped areas. He also noted that the Egyptian Zakat and Charity House is ready for more contributions in this field.

For his part, Dr. El-Sherif expressed his appreciation of and pride of Al-Azhar, and the role played by the Grand Imam in promoting the true religion and confronting extremist thought. He also commended the Grand Imam’s tangible steps in disseminating the message of peace and underscoring it in all international forums. Likewise, he applauded the performance of the Egyptian Zakat and Charity House, with its Board of Trustees chaired by the Grand Imam. He thus hoped for constant cooperation and communication between Al-Azhar and the Egyptian Zakat and Charity House on the one hand, and the Ministry of Local Development on the other, in supporting social justice projects. In this regard, the Minister agreed with the Grand Imam that the Qur’an and religious chanting (hymnodies) competitions conducted by the Ministry be supervised by Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif.