We are guided by your Eminence’s enlightened positions on various issues at this critical stage in the history of the Muslim ummah, says Malaysian PM to the Grand Imam

 

We seek to strengthen Al-Azhar’s presence by opening Azhari institutes and increasing the number of Azhari envoys in Malaysia, says Malaysian PM to the Grand Imam

 

In honor of the huffaz (memorizers) of the Holy Qur’an, the Grand Imam decides to allocate scholarships to students of Darul Qur’an JAKIM Foundation in Malaysia

 

The Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, received the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in the beginning of his official visit to Malaysia where the two sides stressed the importance of enhancing scientific and dawah cooperation.

 

The Malaysian Prime Minister welcomed the Grand Imam, declaring that “it is a great honor that your Eminence accepts our invitation to visit Malaysia. The Malaysian people have a great deal of appreciation and respect for your Eminence." He added that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif had - and still has - a great history in Malaysia, that it is considered a beacon for spreading various Islamic sciences, and that it enjoys the trust of the Malaysian people, making it the first destination for their children to receive Islamic sciences and knowledge.

 

The Malaysian Prime Minister expressed his country's appreciation for the vision of His Eminence and his enlightened positions. He said that he follows His Eminence's statements on various issues for guidance, especially at this critical stage in the history of the Muslim ummah. He added that "In Malaysia, we seek to reinforce the presence of Al-Azhar in our country through establishing new Azhari institutes, increasing the number of Azhari envoys, opening more doors to cooperation with your ancient institution, and highlighting Al-Azhar’s message, which is led by Your Eminence, and which is characterized by tolerance, moderation, and rejection of extremism and sectarian fanaticism."

 

The Malaysian Prime Minister affirmed his country’s support for the position of the Grand Imam, rejecting the aggression against Gaza and demanding an immediate halt to this brutal aggression. He added that Malaysia, both government and people are guided by the speeches of His Eminence and his positions, regarding this ordeal, and that Al-Azhar’s voice fully expresses the tragedies which our brothers in Gaza are suffering. He declared, “We support your position and all your statements in support of the Palestinian cause publicly in various international forums.”

 

The Grand Imam, for his part, expressed his happiness for visiting Malaysia, and his appreciation for the warm reception he found, noting the depth of ties and relationships that link Al-Azhar to Malaysia, especially the Malaysian students coming to study at Al-Azhar, whose number reaches approximately 7,000 students. He noted that Malaysian students enjoy special treatment at Al-Azhar, and they have proven that they deserve such treatment through excelling and keenness to acquire knowledge, and their commitment to good manners.

 

His Eminence referred to his visit to Darul Qur’an JAKIM Foundation; he noticed how the huffaz (memorizers) of the Holy Qur'an are encouraged to contemplate and understand its meanings and how they compete for memorizing it. He added that Al-Azhar decided to allocate a number of annual scholarships for the huffaz to study at Al-Azhar University, to encourage them to continue memorizing the Holy Qur'an and to persevere in acquiring useful sciences. His Eminence stressed that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif is counting on its graduates in Malaysia to carry the banner of peace and combat extremism and fanaticism to be ambassadors for peace in Southeast Asia.

 

His Eminence also affirmed his appreciation for the Malaysian position in support of the rights of the Palestinian people, and Malaysia’s demand for stopping the aggression and ending the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip. His Eminence said that the position of both Malaysia and Al-Azhar towards Gaza are identical. He added that efforts were coordinated to increase support campaigns and relief convoys, and to stand in the face of the aggressors, stressing that Al-Azhar’s message is to support the oppressed and defend their rights.

 

The meeting was attended by a high-level Malaysian delegation that included the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamad bin Hasan, the Malaysian Minister of Higher Education, Zambry bin Abdul Kadir, and the Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar.