His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad al-Tayyeb, received H.E. Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, today, Sunday, at Al-Azhar headquarters, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and coordination.

His Eminence the Grand Imam emphasized the importance of integration and coordination among state institutions and the concerted effort to serve Egyptian citizens and enhance the quality of services provided to them. He noted that developing the Al-Azhar education system is a priority, given Al-Azhar’s enduring scholarly, educational, and dawah efforts, and its role as a fundamental pillar in the systems of education, culture, and awareness-building.

During the meeting, and acting under the directives of the Grand Imam, Al-Azhar officials outlined the requirements of Al-Azhar’s various sectors and the support and development needed for its future plans. These measures aim to keep pace with the expansion of Al-Azhar’s educational and dawah services and to enhance its capacity to fulfill its mission effectively.

Dr. Rostom expressed appreciation for the Grand Imam and Al-Azhar’s efforts to disseminate enlightened and moderate thought. The Minister affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting and coordinating with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif to meet its needs and back its development plans, in alignment with the Egyptian state’s strategic direction of institutional development and the enhancement of infrastructure and services provided to citizens.

The meeting addressed ways to meet the equipment and machinery needs of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif across its various sectors and discussed several future projects. Key among these were upgrading Al-Azhar institute facilities, establishing new faculties at Al-Azhar University, and expanding housing facilities within university campuses and the Islamic Missions City for international students. All these efforts are aimed at providing a suitable educational and service environment for students and supporting Al-Azhar’s plans to expand its educational services.