Latest news with #Al-AzharUniversity
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Serbia expresses interest in deepening ties with Al-Azhar - Foreign Affairs
Serbian Prime Minister Duro Mascut expressed his pleasure on Wednesday at meeting the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, affirming Serbia's interest in deepening its relationship with Al-Azhar. This came during PM Mascut's meeting with Sheikh El-Tayyeb at Al-Azhar's headquarters. During the meeting, Mascut voiced his country's commitment to enhancing cooperation in education and religious dialogue by sending Serbian students to study at Al-Azhar at the university level and pre-university education. He also conveyed Serbia's desire to sign cooperation protocols between Al-Azhar University and Serbian universities to support joint academic and research projects, including faculty and student exchanges. The Serbian prime minister reiterated his country's keenness to strengthen ties with Islamic institutions, particularly Al-Azhar. Moreover, he affirmed Serbia's support for the Palestinian cause, evident in its vote in favor of granting Palestine full membership at the United Nations and its consistent position in support of the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state. For his part, Sheikh El-Tayyeb affirmed Al-Azhar's readiness to meet the needs of Serbian Muslims by training imams at the Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. He said the training will equip religious leaders to address contemporary intellectual and social challenges, such as promoting human fraternity, positive coexistence, women's rights in Islam, and rational rebuttals to extremist ideologies. El-Tayyeb also expressed Al-Azhar's willingness to welcome Serbian Muslim students to study at Al-Azhar University and establish a centre for Arabic language education in Serbia to help Muslim community members learn the Quran language. The grand imam stressed that peace and mutual understanding are Al-Azhar's core principles. He stated that Al-Azhar instills in its students a deep sense of patriotism, respect for diversity, and openness to others. "Difference is a divine universal law, and peaceful coexistence is central to Islamic teaching," he highlighted. Meeting with Pope Tawadros II Earlier on Tuesday, Pope Tawadros II, head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, received Prime Minister Muscat and his accompanying delegation at the papal residence in Cairo as part of his current official visit to Egypt. Upon his arrival, the Serbian prime minister wrote a message in the VIP visitors' book before beginning his meeting with the pope. During their meeting, Pope Tawadros II welcomed PM Muscat, recalling their previous meeting in Belgrade a long time ago. "Although the visit lasted only a few days, it left many beautiful memories. When I returned to Egypt, I spoke to many people about your beautiful country,' the pope said. He noted that the Coptic Orthodox Church, founded in the first century, is a centuries-old church that has played a vital role in Egyptian society. "Egypt is the only country the Holy Family visited, which gives it great significance in both religious tourism and sacred history. This visit sanctified the land of Egypt, making it one of Christianty's holy lands alongside Palestine," Pope Tawdros II added. The pope highlighted that Saint Mark the Apostle founded the Coptic Orthodox Church, and Saint Anthony was the first to practice monasticism, a path followed by monks worldwide. This affirms the church's profound role in Christian life. He further noted that the church serves society in Egypt and abroad. 'I hoped your visit could include more of the historical and religious landmarks that Egypt is known for,' he told the Serbian prime minister, adding that the Egyptian government is very interested in the path of the Holy Family, part of which was on land and part through the Nile River. Pope Tawadros also emphasized the importance of promoting religious tourism between Egypt and Serbia. For his part, PM Mascut expressed his honour at meeting Pope Tawadros II again, praising the Coptic Orthodox Church for preserving Christian history and highlighting the Coptic community's vital role in Egyptian society. He also recalled the pope's recent visit to Serbia as warm and memorable, noting that this trip to Egypt marks his first official foreign visit as prime minister. Furthermore, Mascut conveyed greetings from Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Serbian prime minister also said he had seen the church in Egypt's New Administrative Capital during his meeting with the Egyptian prime minister. Pope Tawadros said this church is the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on the same day as the Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque. He pointed out that the Coptic Orthodox Church enjoys good relations with the president, the government, Al-Azhar, and other Christian churches in Egypt and worldwide. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Azura Aziz relieved that eldest son is finally a Malaysian citizen
KUALA LUMPUR: Singer Azura Aziz is relieved and grateful that her eldest son, Seiful Islam Ali, 22, affectionately known as Bubu, has finally obtained Malaysian citizenship after a lengthy process. In a recent interview with Harian Metro, Azura revealed the numerous obstacles she and her Egyptian husband, Cheb Ali, faced when their three Egyptian-born sons moved with them to Malaysia in 2017. "These problems arose from our lack of knowledge regarding the law," she explained. "Initially, we frequently travelled between Malaysia and Egypt. Our first two sons, Bubu and Safiyurrahman Ali, or Totti, were both born in Egypt and automatically acquired Egyptian citizenship as their father is an Egyptian national." Azura added that they later decided to prolong their stay in Egypt so their children could continue their studies at Al-Azhar University. "It was during that time that our third son, Nusratuddin Ali, or Mimo, was born." However, political instability following the Arab Spring forced the family to return to Malaysia in 2017. "That's when our difficulties truly began," Azura recounted. "Every year, we had to apply for student passes for the boys. They weren't eligible for textbook loans and were discouraged from participating in school activities." Azura and Cheb applied for Malaysian citizenship for their sons in September 2018. "After Bubu completed his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, things became particularly challenging," she said. "The Immigration Department informed us he could only remain in Malaysia if he attended a private university, which we simply couldn't afford." Good news finally arrived in July 2024, when the family received a letter from the Home Ministry confirming that their sons' applications for citizenship had been approved. Totti, 20, received his MyKad in January, while Bubu, 21, first had to relinquish his Egyptian citizenship. Currently, Bubu and Totti are studying at the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara), while Mimo is in Year Five of primary school. "Thank you to the government," Azura expressed.
LeMonde
27-05-2025
- General
- LeMonde
In Gaza, studying lets you 'not think about death all the time'
Narmin al-Zeitonia earned her bachelor's degree in agricultural science in early May, graduating at the top of her class at Gaza's Al-Azhar University. Yet the university, just like the other 11 higher education institutions in the Gaza Strip, had been reduced to rubble by Israeli bombings in the fall of 2023. After having been damaged three times by previous Israeli offensives, the agriculture department in which Narmin had attended her classes – which had recently been rebuilt, thanks to a donation from the king of Morocco – was completely destroyed this time. Despite this, the 23-year-old student managed to continue her studies, thanks to an online teaching program launched by the three main universities in the Palestinian enclave – Al-Azhar, Al-Aqsa, and the Islamic University of Gaza – in the summer of 2024 In the first six months of the war in Gaza, after it was triggered by the Hamas terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, the entire education sector was paralyzed by chaos. Three university heads, hundreds of professors and thousands of students were killed, while the rest – just like all of Gaza's population – were displaced, following evacuation orders by the Israeli army. All of a sudden, nearly 90,000 students saw their academic careers interrupted.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Egypt agree on Usim as gateway for Al-Azhar medical studies
JASIN: The governments of Egypt and Malaysia have agreed to designate Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) as a one-stop centre for students sponsored by Al-Azhar University to pursue medical studies at the prestigious institution. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the selected students would undergo a one-year 'familiarisation course' at USIM before departing to continue their studies at Al-Azhar University. "As part of the process of sending students to Egypt, we will conduct a one-year Arabic-language familiarisation course at USIM, as agreed by both the Egyptian and Malaysian governments," he told reporters after attending the launch of the Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) Dakwah Complex and the DMDI Foundation Tahfiz Centre at Maahad Tahfiz Sulaimaniyyah, Kampung Tersusun DMDI Bukit Senggeh, Selandar, here today. The ceremony, officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, was also attended by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and DMDI Foundation chairman Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali. The DMDI Foundation Tahfiz Centre began construction in 2021 and was completed in February this year, with 37 students enrolled in its first intake. Ahmad Zahid said the government also prioritised outstanding tahfiz school graduates, especially those with a Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 5, to pursue medical studies at Al-Azhar University.
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia, Egypt agree on USIM as gateway for Al-Azhar medical studies
JASIN: The governments of Egypt and Malaysia have agreed to designate Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) as a one-stop centre for students sponsored by Al-Azhar University to pursue medical studies at the prestigious institution. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the selected students would undergo a one-year 'familiarisation course' at USIM before departing to continue their studies at Al-Azhar University. 'As part of the process of sending students to Egypt, we will conduct a one-year Arabic-language familiarisation course at USIM, as agreed by both the Egyptian and Malaysian governments,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after attending the launch of the Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) Dakwah Complex and the DMDI Foundation Tahfiz Centre at Maahad Tahfiz Sulaimaniyyah, Kampung Tersusun DMDI Bukit Senggeh, Selandar, here today. The ceremony, officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, was also attended by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and DMDI Foundation chairman Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali. The DMDI Foundation Tahfiz Centre began construction in 2021 and was completed in February this year, with 37 students enrolled in its first intake. Ahmad Zahid said the government also prioritised outstanding tahfiz school graduates, especially those with a Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 5, to pursue medical studies at Al-Azhar University. Commenting on Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) request to contest 13 seats in the upcoming Sabah state election, Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO president, said discussions were still ongoing between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH). 'To me, the request is an internal matter among PH component parties, and we fully respect the cooperation between BN and PH as well as the negotiations with local parties in Sabah. 'A final decision will be made once the Sabah State Legislative Assembly is dissolved,' he said.
