His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad al-Tayyeb, received today, Tuesday, at Al-Azhar, Ambassador Zhengis Askar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Egypt. They discussed ways to enhance scientific and cultural relations and reviewed joint efforts to serve the causes of dialogue and global peace.

His Eminence stressed the depth of the relations between Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Kazakhstan, pointing out that Al-Azhar currently hosts 207 male and female students from Kazakhstan studying at its various educational levels, which reflects the Kazakh people’s confidence in Al-Azhar’s scientific and humanitarian message. He stressed that Al-Azhar’s doors are always open to the people of Kazakhstan, and that Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams and Preachers periodically receives delegations of Kazakh imams within intensive training programs, that aim to hone their skills in refuting extremist thought and consolidating issues of positive coexistence and human brotherhood.

During the meeting, the Kazakh Ambassador renewed President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's invitation to His Eminence to visit Kazakhstan and participate in the opening of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. He emphasized that the Grand Imam's presence would be a strong endorsement of the message of dialogue and coexistence. He also expressed his country's great appreciation for Al-Azhar's efforts in spreading the true religion, caring for foreign students, and providing annual scholarships to Kazakh students.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Eminence and Ambassador Askar praised the deep historical ties between Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Kazakhstan, affirming their continued support for these relations and their willingness to benefit from Al-Azhar's scientific, religious, and cultural expertise, thus contributing to the service of Kazakh students and researchers and enhancing efforts to promote the values of tolerance and dialogue among people.