The Grand Imam receives Malian Foreign Minister to discuss ways to enhance Al-Azhar’s educational and dawah support for the people of Mali.

We support the independence of African nations and the liberation of the continent from colonialism, which plundered its resources and enslaved the minds of its people for its interests, the Grand Imam to Mali's Foreign Minister

We are confident in the ability of African nations to rise, achieve progress and possess all means of success and development, The Grand Imam to Mali's Foreign Minister

We need Al-Azhar's support in our intellectual battle against terrorism and extremism, Mali's Foreign Minister

Al-Azhar is a source of inspiration for all peoples that love peace and justice, Mali's Foreign Minister

His Eminence Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam (GI), received today, Monday, Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss ways to enhance Al-Azhar’s educational and dawah support for Malians.

His Eminence said that Al-Azhar spares no effort in helping African nations to support their stability and enhance their sovereignty over their homelands. It also seeks to eliminate the colonialism, which plundered its resources and enslaved the minds of its people to establish its presence in the African continent and continue its dominance over its sources of strength and wealth. He stressed that there is no way to confront it except by relying on African minds and elders, expressing his confidence in the ability of African nations to rise, adding that African countries possess all the human and material resources as well as natural wealth that enable them to achieve progress.

His Eminence explained that Al-Azhar allocates 32 scholarships for the students of Mali, and it is prepared to increase these scholarships and direct most of them to studying medicine, engineering and other applied sciences that the Malian community needs. He added that Al-Azhar is also ready to establish a center for teaching the Arabic language in Mali to help Malians learn the language of the Qur’an. Al-Azhar is also ready to host the imams of Mali for training at Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams and Preachers, to hone their skills in combating extremist thought, refuting the arguments that terrorist groups rely on to attract and influence young people, and clarifying the correct position of Islam on various contemporary issues.

Mr. Abdoulaye Diop expressed his happiness for meeting His Eminence the Grand Imam, and his appreciation for the venerable institution of Al-Azhar, which enjoys great esteem and a good reputation in the Arab and Islamic world. He added that it is a source of inspiration for all nations that love peace and justice and conveyed the greetings of General Assimi Goïta, the interim President of Mali to the Grand Imam. Mr. Diop delivered an official invitation from His Excellency to the Grand Imam to visit Mali and hold dialogues with Malian youth, and to strengthen relations with religious and cultural institutions in the country.

Mr. Diop pointed out that Mali suffers from the effects of terrorism and the spread of extremist groups that hide behind the guise of religion and exploit the poverty of society to attract and recruit young people. He stressed the Malian community’s need for Al-Azhar's support in its intellectual battle to refute the ideologies of these groups, given Al-Azhar’s credibility and extensive experience in this regard.

The Malian Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to the Grand Imam for Al-Azhar’s contribution of hundreds of books and documents, which enrich the National Library in Mali. He also expressed his gratitude for the proposal to increase scholarships and establish a center for teaching the Arabic language in Mali, stressing that he will work with the Minister of Higher Education to complete this important project.