His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received today, Monday, at Al-Azhar headquarters, Dr. Amr Ezzat, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities (AARU), and Dr. Mashhour Al-Rifai, Secretary-General of the Jordanian Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), to discuss a number of joint scientific projects, including Al-Azhar University’s continued membership in the AARU.

The Grand Imam said Arab and Islamic universities have a heavy responsibility considering the systematic cultural invasion that targets the minds of the Arab youth and obliterates their religious and Eastern identity. He stressed the need for Arab and Islamic educational institutions to commit to reviving Islamic civilization, its glories, gains, and world contribution in the minds of Arab youth, and to direct the educational curricula in our nation in a way that contributes to strengthening religious and moral values. His Eminence added that he hopes that teaching the Arabic language will become mandatory in our Arab world, and that there should be a unified curriculum for the language in all Arab countries. He explained that this can be achieved by preparing one multi-level book according to the progression of the educational stages. His Eminence also added that the teaching of the Arab history should be mandatory and it should start from the basic levels of education.

The Grand Imam explained that some of the enemies of Islam have placed their hands on the sources of strength in the Muslim nation because they are aware that the influence of Islam is based on the strength of its civilization and history. Those enemies have targeted Islam by destroying its sources of strength and values, undermining the pride that Muslims get from Islamic values and rallying around the teachings of Islam. His Eminence stressed the responsibility of Arab and Islamic countries to adopt an educational strategy based on promoting religious and moral values, and has set goals, which should be adopted, implemented, and monitored by decision-makers in the Arab and Islamic world.

His Eminence added that educational institutions in Arab countries must take it upon themselves to spread pride in the Arabic language and its sciences. He pointed out that language is one of the most important components of identity, and that excluding it from people’s lives will result in nothing but more dependency on others and separation from our long and distinguished Arab history. He wondered how some families in some social circles brag about their children’s mastery of foreign languages and their lack of knowledge of the simplest rules of the Arabic language!

For their part, Dr. Ezzat and Dr. Al-Rifai expressed their happiness for meeting the Grand Imam, and their appreciation for the important role played by His Eminence and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in supporting the issues of the Arab and Islamic nations, especially with regard to Al-Azhar’s hosting of international students and providing all means of comfort and necessary support to acquiring science and knowledge. Those students return to their countries as ambassadors who spread Al-Azhar’s moderate thought.

The Secretary-General of the AARU stressed the importance of consolidating relations and joint work between Arab universities and Islamic universities and adopting joint scientific projects. He stressed that it is time for Arab and Islamic universities to boast of their relationship with each other, just as they do in their relations with Western universities and scientific institutions. He noted that Al-Azhar has an important role to play in this regard due to its great experience in the field of education, its great international reputation, and because it is trusted by all Arab and Islamic nations.