Al-Azhar Grand Imam’s Deputy, “Our relationship with Kazakhstan is strong and our hands are extended to the students and the imams”
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan praises Al-Azhar's approach and its role in serving the Muslim world.
On September 3, 2020, at Al-Azhar Headquarters, Sheikh Ṣāliḥ ˁAbbās, Al-Azhar Grand Imam’s Deputy, met Ambassador Arman Issagaliev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Cairo. The visit came before the departure of Ambassador Issagaliev, whose term in Cairo has ended after more than seven years of diplomatic work in Egypt. He is succeeded by Ambassador Khairat Lama Sharif.
Al-Azhar Grand Imam’s Deputy said, “Ambassador Arman Issagaliev has strongly contributed to enhancing the Azhari-Kazakh relations. He has also made tangible efforts to serve Al-Azhar’s message, the Azhari students and graduates in his country, in addition to his role during Grand Imam of Al-Azhar’s visit to Kazakhstan in 2018”. His Eminence stressed that the bonds between Al-Azhar and Kazakhstan will remain strong, especially in the light of Kazakhstan's keenness to enroll Kazakh students at Al-Azhar. “Kazakhstan is a knowledge-loving country. The history of Kazakhstan is full of Muslim scholars who have had a great impact in the service of knowledge, on top of whom is Imam Al-Fārābī. All the Azhari institutions are always open for the students and imams of Kazakhstan.”, His Eminence added.
On his part, the Kazakh Ambassador expressed his happiness with his service tenure in Egypt that lasted for more than seven years. During that time, he sought to consolidate the Azhari-Kazakh relationships, to provide scholarships at Al-Azhar for Kazakh students and imams to seek knowledge at this great ancient institution that remains as a reference for the Muslims, and to preserve our true religion. The Azhari students are clear of ideological deviation. Meanwhile, some others who are educated at outer institutions may adopt inclined ideologies. Today, the Kazakh Azhari graduates have become religious leaders in Kazakhstan. He praised the moderate approach of Al-Azhar that produces distinguished scholars, and the efforts made by this great institution to facilitate knowledge and serve the Muslim World under the leadership of the Grand Imam Prof. Aḥmed Aṭ-Ṭayyeb.