His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb received today, Sunday, at Al-Azhar headquarters, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation.

 

 

The Grand Imam stressed the need to protect Arab youth from the dangers of cultural invasion, which aims to isolate them from the reality of their nation and its challenges. He pointed out that the youth are the backbone of the nation and its future. Therefore, Al-Azhar has taken the initiative to implement many projects and initiatives to raise the youth’s awareness of contemporary issues, direct their energies towards what benefits homelands and societies, and prepare them to carry the banner of peace soon. This is done through initiatives held by Al-Azhar Mosque, the Zakat and Charity House, the Education Development Center for Al-Azhar International Students, and the Egyptian Family House, whose branches are spread throughout the governorates of Egypt.

 

His Eminence affirmed that the Egyptian Family House – which is headed alternately by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the Pope of the Orthodox Coptic Church every six months – has played an important role in nipping sectarian and societal strife in the bud, and has an important role in maintaining the security and stability of society. The institution has played a pivotal role in presenting the image of the relationship between Egyptians, Muslims and Christians, as partners in the homeland.

 

Dr. Sobhy expressed his happiness at meeting the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and his appreciation for the great efforts he is making locally and globally in introducing the true image of Islam and its tolerant teachings. His Excellency noted that the Ministry is cooperating with Al-Azhar in many initiatives, and that this cooperation allows young people to have direct contact with religious scholars, talk to them, listen to their views directly, and discuss with them all the ideas that are on their minds and that they need answers to.

 

He reviewed the ministry’s projects and initiatives that are carried out in cooperation with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, such as the Electronic Atheism Combat Program, the Holy Family Trail Initiative, the educational convoys, the “Our Prophet is Our Role Model” program, and visits to the Global Observatory for Electronic Fatwas. Also, he reviewed competitions like “Al-Azhar International Girl”, “My Country’s Culture”, “On the Path of Light”, and the “Journey Around the Truth” initiative to confront atheism among young girls, and other initiatives and projects.