During their meeting with Al-Azhar Grand Imam’s Deputy, the Indonesian delegation, “Al-Azhar is the most important religious institution in the world. It is the center of enlightened moderate knowledge”

     On Nov. 20, 2019, Sheikh Ṣaliḥ ‛Abbās, Al-Azhar Grand Imam's Deputy, received an Indonesian delegation at Al-Azhar Headquarter. The delegation was headed by Sheikh Zahrul-'Anām, the General Manager of the Islamic Orientation Institute, to discuss the means of mutual cooperation.

     At the beginning of the meeting, Al-Azhar Grand Imam's Deputy welcomed the delegation inside Al-Azhar. He pointed out that Indonesia was the only country in which an Arabic language center was established. He added that Indonesia also enjoys the largest percentage of scholarships offered by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. He also pointed out that moderation in Al-Azhar curricula has greatly contributed to the Indonesian motivation to study at Al-Azhar.

     On his part, the head of the Indonesian delegation thanked Al-Azhar for the warm welcome offered to the delegation and its care for the Indonesian students. He stressed that Al-Azhar is the most important religious institution in the world and the center of enlightened moderate knowledge. He expressed his aspiration to continued cooperation between Al-Azhar and his country, especially by increasing Al-Azhar scholarships to them to benefit from their knowledge.

     It is worth mentioning that the relationships between Indonesia and Al-Azhar date back to several centuries ago. Indonesians used to wait for the seasons of Ḥajj (Pilgrimage) to meet with Al-Azhar scholars and ask them about what they were concerned with, such as questions of jurisprudence and Sharῑ‛a. More than a century and a half ago, the Indonesians began to come to Egypt to benefit from the sciences of Al-Azhar and its great scholars. That was after allocating a special Ruwāq (Class Court) for them called “Al-Jāwῑ Class”. Another class court was developed for them, called “Indonesia Class Court,” which was founded by Indonesian students a few years ago.