On Sunday, at the Headquarters of Al-Azhar, HE Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, received Sheikh Abdishukur Aji Narmatov, Rector of the Islamic University of Kyrgyzstan, Sheikh Zamir Kari Rakiev, Mufti of the Muslims of Kyrgyzstan, and Sheikh Abdykarov Toygonbai Zhorobaevich, Director of the State Commission for Religious Affairs, to discuss ways to enhance joint academic and Da’wah cooperation.

The Grand Imam averred that the doors of Al-Azhar are always open to the Kyrgyz students and that he is proud of the academic and cultural relations that bring Al-Azhar and Kyrgyzstan together. He added that Al-Azhar enrolls Kyrgyz students in its prestigious universities and institutes, and also welcomed the hosting of Kyrgyz imams at the Al-Azhar International Academy for the Training of Imams and Preachers, to polish their skills in confronting extremist ideas, and fortify them with the moderate Al-Azhar curriculum. He further noted that Al-Azhar does so out of the belief in the important role of international students and imams as ambassadors of Al-Azhar in their respective countries and as a source of strength and pride for their homelands.

For their part, the Kyrgyz delegation expressed their pleasure to meet the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and their appreciation for his great efforts in disseminating moderate Islam in the world, promoting the values of dialogue and tolerance, introducing true Islam globally through Al-Azhar national and international graduates, and serving the causes of the Muslim nation around the world.