Al-Azhar  Grand Imam (GI) said that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif is proud of its historical relations with Uzbekistan and seeks to develop this relationship in a manner consistent with the history of this ancient Islamic country, from which emerged great Muslim scholars who contributed to preserving, protecting and reviving Islamic heritage throughout time.

 

During his reception of the Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Egypt, Ambassador Mansurbek Kilichev, the Grand Imam pointed out that Al-Azhar has more than four thousand Uzbek students studying at various levels of education, from kindergarten to postgraduate studies. His Eminence expressed Al-Azhar’s readiness to establish a center for teaching the Arabic language in Uzbekistan to help the people of this country learn the language of the Qur’an. Al-Azhar is keen to do this and to host Uzbek imams for training at the Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams and Preachers in appreciation of the history of the Uzbek scholars who served the true religion.

For his part, the Uzbek Ambassador expressed his happiness for meeting His Eminence the Grand Imam, and his country's appreciation for his great efforts in spreading the true image of Islam through the moderate approach of Al-Azhar. He pointed out that the Grand Imam's visits to Uzbekistan have effectively contributed to the development of the relationship between the two parties and its progress in various dawah and educational fields. He said that the current period is witnessing fruitful cooperation between Al-Azhar and the Uzbek Ministry of Religious Affairs through holding joint conferences and seminars and seeking the assistance of Al-Azhar scholars and professors specialized in various sciences of Sharia and language.