His Eminence the Grand Imam of al-Azhar received His Excellency Samba al-Hamdoubabi, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to Cairo.
The Grand Imam affirmed the deep-rooted ties between al-Azhar and the Republic of Mali, noting that 369 Malian students are currently enrolled across various academic levels at al-Azhar. Additionally, 14 Azhari envoys are stationed in Malian institutes to disseminate al-Azhar’s moderate Islamic approach.
His Eminence expressed al-Azhar’s readiness to increase scholarships for Malian students to better serve the community’s needs. He further emphasized that al-Azhar welcomes Malian imams for specialized training at al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. This curriculum is designed to combat extremism, refute radical ideologies, and enhance the ability of imams to address contemporary challenges—particularly those involving peaceful coexistence, the acceptance of others, and the status of women in Islam.
The Malian Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the Grand Imam and conveyed his country’s appreciation for al-Azhar’s contributions to the Muslim world. He noted with gratitude the exceptional care al-Azhar extends to Malian students, ensuring they receive comprehensive academic and personal support during their studies.
The Malian Ambassador highlighted that his country relies heavily on al-Azhar alumni to promote social peace and combat extremism. He emphasized that these graduates hold a prestigious status in Mali, qualifying them to occupy the highest leadership positions in the country.
