Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received today, Monday, at Al-Azhar headquarters in Cairo, a high-level Pakistani delegation, headed by Lieutenant-General Nadim Raza, Chairman of the Pakistani Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is on an official visit to Cairo. Upon receiving the Pakistani delegation, the Grand Imam welcomed them to Al-Azhar, and conveyed the greetings of its scholars, and students to the Pakistani Chief of Staff and the accompanying delegation on the land of Egypt. He noted that Pakistan is a great Muslim country enjoying a great status, love, and unforgettable memories in his heart as he spent a good deal of time there as Dean of the Faculty of Usuluddin (Theology) at the International Islamic University. He witnessed the love of the Pakistani people and their strong appreciation for Al-Azhar and all its affiliates, the case which motivated Al-Azhar to make more efforts towards this great country. 

The Grand Imam stressed that Al-Azhar spares no effort to support Pakistan, its scholars, imams, and students. It is worth noting that there are 111 male and female students from Pakistan studying at Al-Azhar from kindergarten to university. There are Azhar envoys deployed to the Religious Institute in Islamabad, the case that helps on making the Islamic University in Islamabad a center for the dissemination of Al-Azhar moderate thought and disciplined fatwas throughout Asia.

His Eminence pointed out that the Imam Training Program continuously receives imams from Pakistan, and will intensify these courses to serve our Muslim and Arab homeland and protect our societies from deviant ideas. 

The Pakistani Chief of Staff said he had the pleasure of meeting the great and influential Islamic figure, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, who is cherished by everyone. The efforts of the Grand Imam and Al-Azhar in supporting the issues of the Muslim nation    prove the global standing of Al-Azhar and its ability to offer a lot to our people. Pakistan is eager to benefit from Al-Azhar expertise in educational and religious fields as there is close collaboration between Al-Azhar University and the Islamic University in Pakistan. Furthermore, Al-Azhar graduates in Pakistan are highly regarded once they receive their academic certificates from Al-Azhar. The Pakistani Chief of Staff stated that the Imam Training Program at Al-Azhar is of great interest to Pakistan because of its effective influence on the Pakistani imams. Therefore, Pakistan will send more imams in the coming period including imams preaching in the armed forces who will be trained at Al-Azhar. He concluded his visit by presenting the Grand Imam with the National Markhor Shield of Pakistan.