During his visit to Thailand, The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE), Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, was received today, Sunday, at the headquarters of the Thai House of Representatives, by Mr. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the National Assembly of Thailand, in the presence of the Thai Minister of Justice and a number of members of the House to discuss ways to enhance mutual relations.

 

Mr. Wan Noor welcomed the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Thailand, stressing that the visit of His Eminence today to the Thai Parliament opens a bright historical page in the records of the Thai Parliament. He said he feels proud and grateful that this visit is the first visit by a Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to the Thai Parliament, which is something that the Thais will remember forever. He stressed that he is following up on the events and meetings held by His Eminence the Grand Imam in Thailand and added that he was confident that these events will result in consolidating cooperation between Al-Azhar and various cultural and educational bodies in Thailand.

 

 

The Speaker of the Thai Parliament expressed his country's appreciation for the Egyptian-Thai relations, whose 70th anniversary is being celebrated. He said that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has been a prominent landmark and an important axis in the development and progress of this relationship. He stressed his appreciation to His Eminence for the kind hospitality to Thai students – about 3000 students - studying at Al-Azhar various faculties and institutes, and for providing 160 annual scholarships to Thai Muslims, and hosting delegations of Thai imams for training at Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams, Preachers and Fatwa Researchers. He pointed out that most - if not all – of Al-Azhar graduates in Thailand are in prestigious positions in various ministries and bodies, as they are now the most prominent scholars and imams of Thailand, including judges, teachers and doctors.

 

Mr. Wan Noor asked His Eminence to increase the number of Al-Azhar's scholarships and envoys to Thailand, pointing out that their presence is of great importance, especially at universities and secondary schools in Thailand. He explained that he received his education at the Islamic University in Thailand and studied the Arabic language at the hands of one of Al-Azhar teachers sent to Thailand at that time.

 

For his part, the Grand Imam expressed his appreciation for Mr. Wan Noor for the warm reception, his gratitude for the joint relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt, especially Al-Azhar, and the Kingdom of Thailand, and his happiness with what he heard about the excellence of Al-Azhar graduates in Thailand, their positive integration into society, and their participation in the renaissance of their country by leading the Islamic institutions and centers. His Eminence stressed Al-Azhar’s readiness to increase scholarships provided to the Muslim youth in Thailand, and to establish a center for teaching the Arabic language to teach Thais the language of the Holy Qur’an, and to raise the level of cooperation in a manner that suits the needs of Thai society and its future aspirations.

 

During the meeting, the Grand Imam decided to increase the number of Al-Azhar's envoys to Thailand from 15 to 21, in response to the request of Mr. Wan Noor, in addition to increasing training courses for Thai imams at Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams, Preachers and Fatwa Researchers, and to design a special program prepared by senior scholars and professors from Al-Azhar in a manner that suits the nature of Thai society.

 

At the end of the meeting, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar presented the Speaker of the Thai Parliament with Al-Azhar Shield and the MCE Medal on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Council.