The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb received on Monday 22 September, at the headquarters of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Mr. Tharman Shanmogaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, and his wife, in a visit that aimed at promoting the academic and religious cooperation. The Grand Imam welcomed the President and his wife, praising Singapore’s remarkable progress in education and academic development, which he personally witnessed in his recent visit to the country.
His eminence the Grand Imam asserted that Al-Azhar is willing to increase the number of scholarships offered to Singaporean students. In addition, his Eminence affirmed Al-Azhar’s readiness to receive Singaporean imams at Al-Azhar International Training Academy for Imams to strengthen their skills in addressing contemporary challenges. The Grand Imam also highlighted Al-Azhar willingness to establish an Arabic language teaching center in Singapore to help the people of Singapore to learn the language of the Quran.
On the ongoing aggression in Gaza, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the President of Singapore discussed this tragic situation, stressing the need to exert pressure for the immediate and unconditional cessation of the aggression targeting innocent civilians in Gaza. The Grand Imam stressed the importance of unified global efforts to end the war, calling on world leaders to exert strong and continuous pressure to halt the bloodshed. He prayed to Allah that the Palestinian people may live freely on their land with their full rights. His Eminence further noted that the growing international recognition of the State of Palestine demonstrates that the Zionist entity has lost much of the international support it once enjoyed for decades.
On his part, the President of Singapore expressed his happiness to meet the Grand Imam and his appreciation for his efforts in spreading peace and coexistence. The President stressed also his country’s appreciation of its historical relations with Al-Azhar, which started before its independence in 1965. He also said that Al-Azhar has been, and will always be, an inspiring beacon for spreading the principles of coexistence, peace, and interreligious dialogue in Singapore, a mission carried by Al-Azhar graduates.
Moreover, the president expressed his deep thanks for Al-Azhar support in establishing the Faculty of Islamic Studies and for the scholarships offered by Al-Azhar to Students of Singapore.