The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayeb, received Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to explore potential avenues for strengthening mutual cooperation between Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Malaysia. The Grand Imam postponed his scheduled departure to Azerbaijan to personally welcome the Prime Minister, an action that signifies his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to him during his recent visit to Malaysia.
During the meeting, the Grand Imam highlighted the strong and unique relationship between Al-Azhar and Malaysia, noting the significant role played by Malaysian students in fostering this bond. The Malaysian Prime Minister, on his part, expressed his pleasure in meeting with the Grand Imam and accentuated the importance of Prof. Al-Tayeb's recent visit to Malaysia, which resonated deeply with the Malaysian people due to their reverence for Al-Azhar and its esteemed leadership. He noted that this visit has resulted in several notable initiatives. He further highlighted the significance of the lecture in which the Grand imam addressed the Malaysian people and stated that he ordered its translation into Malay for distribution across mosques, educational institutions, and cultural centers.
In a significant development, Prime Minister Anwar announced the Malaysian government's endorsement for the establishment of an Al-Azhar Center for Arabic Language Education in Kuala Lumpur, set to open next summer. He also revealed plans for establishing a regional office of the Muslim Council of Elders in Malaysia, aimed at serving Southeast Asia and enhancing cooperation with Al-Azhar.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of fostering collaboration between Al-Azhar and Southeast Asian nations to promote awareness of Al-Azhar’s positions on various issues, facilitate academic and cultural exchanges, and utilize Al-Azhar's influence to share successful experiences from these countries in economic and technological development.
The meeting culminated in the signing of an agreement allowing Malaysian students who have completed their secondary education in Malaysia to enroll in the Faculty of Islamic Sciences for International Students at Al-Azhar University. The agreement was signed by Dr. Salama Dawud, President of Al-Azhar University, and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.
At the conclusion of their discussions, Prime Minister Anwar presented Al-Tayeb with a copy of his lecture delivered during his last visit to Malaysia. In return, Al-Tayyeb gifted the Prime Minister a book titled The Pope and the Grand Imam: A Thorny Path, written by Mohammad Abdulsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders.