The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar receives the Minister of Education

Professor Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, received today, Monday, at Al-Azhar Sheikhdom, Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, to discuss ways to enhance mutual cooperation.

The Grand Imam welcomed the Minister of Education, expressing Al-Azhar's appreciation for the ministry's focus on teaching religious education and Arabic language and restoring them to their rightful place on the curriculum. This is due to the fact that these subjects instill pride in Arab identity in the hearts of young people and students, and the need to instill religious and moral values through educational curricula.

His Eminence affirmed that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif places great importance on teachers and on restoring the sanctity of public schools and their respect in society to what they once were. His Eminence stated, "There is a general trend that draws attention and requires study: the tendency of societal elites to send their children to foreign and international schools instead of public schools. This is feared to infiltrate a colonial spirit that will overwhelm the conscience and feelings of the young. This will also prevent us from being surprised in the future by society being led by Western minds devoid of anything Arab in identity and Eastern in features and characteristics." His Eminence warned that foreign education is often laden with long-term political goals, in addition to its implications for normalizing behaviors and societal ills that are alien to our culture and are religiously and morally unacceptable.

For his part, the Minister of Education expressed his happiness at meeting with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and commended Al-Azhar's pioneering role in spreading moderate Islam. He emphasized the Ministry's efforts to cooperate with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in teaching religious education, by enlisting the help of Al-Azhar teachers. spread throughout the Republic, and that the Ministry is keen to return schools to their true educational and teaching role, which contributes to consolidating societal and moral values.