His Eminence the Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb, met with Mr. Tom Erdemi, Chad’s Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Vocational Training, to discuss ways to strengthen joint academic and preaching cooperation.
During the meeting, the Grand Imam affirmed that al-Azhar values its longstanding ties with Chad. He noted that al-Azhar currently hosts around 500 Chadian students across various educational levels and disciplines, including Islamic and Arabic studies, as well as medicine, pharmacy, engineering, science, and agriculture. He added that al-Azhar provides 50 fully funded scholarships for Chadian students each year. The Grand Imam also highlighted that al-Azhar oversees three institutes in Chad, where 57 Azhari envoys and teachers are serving. In addition, there are two newly established Arabic language centers designed to support Chadian students in learning the language of the Holy Quran.
His Eminence affirmed al-Azhar’s readiness to increase the number of scholarships available to Chadian students, to host new delegations of imams for training at Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers, and to further develop their preaching skills in countering the arguments of extremist groups seeking to distort the image of Islam—particularly on issues of coexistence, women’s rights in Islam, and other contemporary concerns.
For his part, the Chadian Minister of Higher Education expressed his pleasure at meeting His Eminence the Grand Imam and conveyed the pride of the Chadian people in al-Azhar, both as a religious authority and a distinguished academic institution. He affirmed his country’s deep appreciation for the significant support al-Azhar provides to the peoples of the African continent—especially Chad—through comprehensive scholarships, the presence of Azhari envoys who spread knowledge and the moderate Azhari approach, the training offered to Chadian imams and preachers, as well as the medical and preaching convoys sent by al-Azhar in support of the Chadian people.
