Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received the Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Isse Awad, during his visit to Cairo.

The Grand Imam said that Al-Azhar and Somalia have ancient historical relations, as Somali students have always been present in the traditional classes of Al-Azhar. He added that Al-Azhar pays great attention to the countries of the African continent in general and Somalia in particular, because of the great importance this sister country represents in the Arab world and in Africa.

The Grand Imam explained that Al-Azhar is keen to support Somalia to help it face the problems it is going through, help the state and the Somali society develop, and counter extremism and terrorism, through scholarships offered to Somali students studying at Al-Azhar, in addition to sending relief and missionary convoys to Somalia. He indicated that Al-Azhar is ready to increase these grants, especially in scientific fields.

The Somali Foreign Minister, for his part, affirmed that all Somalis hold Al-Azhar in high regard, expressing his country's deep thanks to Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif for the support it provides to Somalia to face the difficult circumstances the country is going through.

He also expressed Somalia's aspiration for more cooperation with Al-Azhar, stressing that Al-Azhar moderate approach is Somalia's way out of the tunnel of extremism and terrorism.