The Grand Imam: We are Ready to Host Niger’s Imams to Train them at al-Azhar International Academy
The Grand Imam: We are Setting Up a Center for Teaching Arabic Language to Niger’s Youth
Niger’s Foreign Minister: We Depend on al-Azhar Graduates to Spread Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance All Over our Country
Niger’s Foreign Minister: We Appreciate Your Eminence’s Sponsorship of Niger’s Students Studying at al-Azhar
Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, received on Wednesday at al-Azhar Sheikhdom, Mr. Bakare Yao Sangare, Niger’s Foreign Minister. The meeting came to discuss ways of enhancing al-Azhar’s support, both scientific and preaching ones, provided to Niger’s Muslims, as well as means of joint cooperation to attain peace and tolerance in Niger.
In such context, the Grand Imam said that al-Azhar Ash-Sharif cherishes the scientific, cultural and historical ties that brings al-Azhar with Niger. His Eminence stated that the international students play a pivotal role in fostering and developing such ties, pointing out that al-Azhar has much pleasure to receive 320 international students from Niger to study at the different educational stages. Prof. at-Tayyeb affirmed that al-Azhar allocates 17 annual scholarships for Niger’s Muslims, demonstrating that these scholarships are not limited to studying lawful sciences, yet, part of them are assigned to studying at practical faculties such as medicine, pharmacy and engineering. This academic diversity will, surely, meet the needs of African societies and help in creating its renaissance and independency.
Further, the Grand Imam stressed al-Azhar’s readiness to receive Niger’s imams to have their training at al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. His Eminence highlighted that the Academy will customize a training program tackling the most significant internal challenges facing Niger, as well as refining the skills of Niger’s imams and preachers to qualify them to address the contemporary issues such as women issues, dealing with the other…etc. Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb declared al-Azhar’s willingness to establish a center for teaching Arabic language in Niger, in order to address the needs of Niger’s Muslims to learn the language of Quran.
On his part, Mr. Bakare Yao Sangare, Niger’s Foreign Minister, transferred the greetings, best wishes and appreciations of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, President of Niger, to the Grand Imam and the efforts His Eminence exerts in supporting the African peoples and clarifying the true image of Islam to the whole world. Niger’s Foreign Minister expressed his pleasure to visit al-Azhar ash-Sharif, the prestigious long-standing institution representing moderate Islam. In the same vein, Niger’s Foreign Minister demonstrated his country’s appreciation for the support provided by the Grand Imam of al-Azhar to Niger’s international students studying at al-Azhar. He also commended His Eminence’s sponsorship of Niger’s students and reducing the barriers that may come in their way during their stay in Egypt. His Excellency pointed out that Niger depends on its al-Azhar graduates in developing social peace and coexistence, adding that al-Azhar graduates in Niger enjoy great status and appreciation and take over different leadership positions in governmental entities and ministries. He added that al-Azhar graduates in Niger share their brothers in creating their country’s renaissance in order to overcome the contemporary challenges, especially in combating extremism, spreading peaceful coexistence and accepting the other.
