The Grand Imam meets the Parliament of International Students and notes, “Al-Azhar's message is within your responsibility, so preserve it”.
On Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmed Aṭ-Ṭayyeb met the Parliament of International Students (PIS) studying at Al-Azhar, in its new round.
The Grand Imam said that Al-Azhar provides a scientific and cultural shell for international students to help them confront any thoughts contradicting the moderate curricula of the Al-Azhar and its tolerant message. He stressed the importance of activating the role entrusted to the parliament and its members. Among them, committees have to be formed to follow up all the affairs of the foreign students, he said.
The Imam also affirmed that Al-Azhar is a global university with a sublime message which falls within their responsibility. Such a message must be preserved and heightened by them. His Eminence added that Al-Azhar is working on increasing the number of scholarships for international students, the case which globally serves its message. He asked the new parliament's president and members to exert more efforts in order to facilitate the education process for international students.
On their part, the PIS members expressed their great appreciation of the Grand Imam, and thanked him for his great efforts in the service of Al-Azhar and Islam. They expressed their pride in belonging to Al-Azhar.
At the end of the meeting, the Grand Imam listened to a number of problems facing international students at Al-Azhar. He recommended the officials to work on solving these problems and overcome all obstacles facing them in order to facilitate their educational pursuit.
It is worth mentioning that the Grand Imam pays special attention to the international students, regarded as good representatives of Al-Azhar in their home countries. They are responsible for promoting Al-Azhar’s moderate approach around the world. His Eminence was the initiator of the establishment of Sheikh Zāyed Center for Teaching Arabic to Non-native Speakers, in order to help international students receive correct knowledge from its original sources.
Al-Azhar receives more than 32,000 international students from 113 countries around the world, enjoying many benefits such as exemption from school fees and enjoying free residence in the Islamic Mission Hostels. The international students are selected on the basis of tests and interviews in their own countries. The admitted students receive orientation on their early days in Egypt via their being enrolled at Al-Azhar centers for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers.