His Eminence the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Prof. Ahmed at-Tayyeb, Sheikh of al-Azhar ash-Sharif, received Mr. Amara Kalon, Minister of General Administration and Political Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone, accompanied by a high-level delegation at the al-Azhar Sheikhdom to discuss ways to enhance joint academic cooperation and benefit from the expertise of al-Azhar ash-Sharif in the field of preaching.
The Grand Imam warmly welcomed the Sierra Leonean Minister and his accompanying delegation, reaffirming al-Azhar’s strong relationship with Sierra Leone. His Eminence expressed his pleasure in hosting tens of Sierra Leonean students at various levels of study at al-Azhar. Notably, al-Azhar offers ten scholarships annually for Sierra Leonean students and al-Azhar also has 35 graduates serving as envoys in Sierra Leone, disseminating al-Azhar’s approach and teaching Islamic law and Arabic language to the people of Sierra Leone.
His Eminence affirmed al-Azhar’s readiness to establish an Azhari Center in Sierra Leone to teach Arabic, serving the people of Sierra Leone in learning the language of the Holy Quran and studying Islamic sciences. This initiative aims to qualify students who wish to join al-Azhar University in Cairo. Al-Azhar is also prepared to increase the number of scholarships offered to the people of Sierra Leone to achieve significant progress in various fields. Additionally, al-Azhar plans to recruit Imams from Sierra Leone to study at Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers, following a specialized academic curriculum designed to enhance the Imams’ skills in refuting misconceptions about Islam and promoting values of tolerance and coexistence.
The Sierra Leonean Minister expressed warm greetings from President Julius Maada Bio, praising His Eminence’s efforts in promoting coexistence and fraternity. He conveyed gratitude for al-Azhar’s ongoing support to Sierra Leone through its envoys and the care provided to Sierra Leonean students at al-Azhar. These students exhibit excellent morals and a sincere desire to acquire knowledge, contributing to the progress of their country upon their graduation and return. They also hold leadership positions in various institutions and organizations in the country.
Furthermore, the Grand Imam welcomes the training of Siera Leonean doctors in medicine colleges at al-Azhar University and designing a co-learning experience for medical students at al-Azhar University Hospitals. He instructed al-Azhar leadership to study the matter and coordinate with the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Cairo to implement this initiative as soon as possible, meeting the needs of the Sierra Leonean people.
