The World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates’ branch in Central African Republic convened a lecture under the title of “al-Azhar and Topical Issues’, during a reading session of Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb’s, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, book “Al-Qawl at-Tayyeb”. The lecture took place in Masjid al-Nour in Bangui city, during which Mr. Ahmed Barma Saeed, member of the branch, pointed out that al-Azhar is the most ancient university and academic institution worldwide that has lasted for more than a thousand years.
He added that al-Azhar, since its establishment ten centuries ago and until now, has been concerned with boosting research, learning, and the pursuit of knowledge and science. Indeed, al-Azhar was supposed to be the center for spreading the culture of Isma’ilism, which was the official doctrine of the state back then. However, destiny has another opinion and al-Azhar turned to be a beacon embracing all Islamic sciences related to the Holy Quran, the esteemed Sunnah and the jurisprudential interpretations of Sunni and non-Sunni imams.
Moreover, the lecturer underlined that al-Azhar reflects the Islamic legacy and all its rational and transmittal diversities; indeed, such legacy primed the Muslim civilization to assimilate the other ones nevertheless the religious, doctrinal or behavioral differences.
