President of Al-Azhar University and Vice-President of the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates, Prof. Muhammad Al-Mahrasawy, highlighted that Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif is a Qiblah for knowledge and scholars worldwide. He pointed to the fact that more than 30000 international students, from more than 100000 countries, study at Al-Azhar.
These words of Prof. Al-Mahrasawy were part of the celebration held by the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates during the holy month of Ramadan in cooperation with Abou El-Enein Charitable Organization, held at Shaykh Zayed Center for Teaching Arabic to Non-Natives to honor Egyptian and international students who won competition of the Holy Quran.
Moreover, Al-Mahrasawy suggested extending next year’s competition to include Quran interpretation and inflection to guarantee true understanding of the Holy Quran; the matter that helps disseminating moderation. In the end, he affirmed that abiding by the Holy Quran and Prophetic Sunnah bring about peace and prevent misery.
Secretary General of the Islamic Research Academy, Prof. Nazir Ayyad, mentioned that celebrating Egyptian and international students who memorized the Holy Quran affirms that Al-Azhar is an umbrella and shelter for all countries around the world. Al-Azhar is the Qiblah for Muslims everywhere. He also pointed to the fact that such an event opens doors of competition to memorize and understand the Holy Quran besides having a great significance as it is connected to the Holy Quran. He highlighted that community institutions and charitable organizations should contribute and integrate with religious institutions and civil society organizations in preserving ethical and community values.
Furthermore, Ayyad added that this celebration that brings about international students of various nationalities reflects the fact there is no place for differences based on color, race or country.
In addition, Prof. Salama Dawood, Head of Sector of Azhari Institutes, stressed that there is not a religious institution that serves the Holy Quran as Al-Azhar does since Islam, legislation and even the whole world are founded on Islam. He also mentioned that such competitions, held under the auspices of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad Muhammad At-Tayyeb, are intended to honor Egyptian and international students who carry the Holy Quran in their hearts.
Vice-President of Abou El-Enein Charitable Organization, Mrs. Somaia Abou El-Enein, commended the role played by the Organization in communicating with students and Azharis at different ages and the competition that encourages students to memorize the Holy Quran.
At the end of the event, honorary certificates and prizes were awarded to winning competitors. Abou El-Enein Charitable Organization was also honored and Mrs. Somia received the shield on behalf of the Organization. The late Shaykh Mohammad Sayyed Tantawy was announced character of the year for the competition and his son Adviser Amr Tantawy received the shield.
