Al-Azhar  Grand Imam (GI), Prof. Ahmad al-Tayyeb, received today, Monday, Ambassador Yasser Shaaban, Assistant Foreign Minister for Cultural Relations, Mr. Mohamed El-Gammal, Egypt's new Ambassador to Mali, and Ambassador Ahmed Farid, Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for Cultural Affairs to discuss ways to enhance the role of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in the educational and dawah fields in Africa.

The Grand Imam stressed Al-Azhar’s keenness to support the youth of Africa by increasing the number of scholarships allocated to the Muslim youth in most African countries, increasing the number of envoys dispatched by Al-Azhar to spread the moderate curriculum of Al-Azhar, and hosting African imams and preachers for training at Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams and Preachers, through training programs made according to the needs of each country and its internal challenges.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar pointed out the importance of enhancing cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in qualifying Al-Azhar envoys before travelling abroad, and providing them with an background information about the country to which they are sent, in addition to language and protocol skills, which facilitates their opportunities to communicate and deal with all segments of society. He also stressed cooperation with the Ministry in linking incoming students with their countries’ embassies in Egypt and removing all the obstacles they may face.

The Grand Imam highlighted Al-Azhar's international project for promoting the Arabic language, through which Al-Azhar aims to establish centers for teaching Arabic in various countries worldwide. Al-Azhar has received several requests to open branches in different countries since the program was made public. In addition, there is the Introduction to Islam Program, an academic course designed to introduce Islam to those interested in learning about it, particularly non-Muslims. It also targets ambassadors of Islamic countries around the world, providing them with logical answers to questions they receive about Islam, its approach to interacting with others, and its stance on various contemporary issues.

Ambassador Yasser Shaaban, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Cultural Relations, expressed his appreciation for the great role played by the Grand Imam in serving Islam and supporting the Muslim causes around the world, especially in Africa, and spreading the true image Islam and its tolerant teachings that call for peace and brotherhood, and consolidate peaceful coexistence. He stressed the keenness of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance the status of Al-Azhar globally and promote the services it provides to Muslims around the world.