Al-Azhar University, one of the world’s oldest and most esteemed Islamic learning centers, has announced plans to establish a campus in Pakistan. The initiative aims to strengthen educational and cultural ties between the two nations, with a particular focus on promoting women’s education and fostering a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings and Arabic culture.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Egypt’s Grand Mufti Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad. Dr. Ayad highlighted the importance of collaboration in enhancing educational landscapes and emphasized the significance of learning Arabic to comprehend Islam’s true teachings. He also underscored Al-Azhar’s commitment to women’s education, noting that over 40% of its students are women.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Siddiqui praised the longstanding Islamic and cultural ties between Egypt and Pakistan, both of which are home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations.
The education minister also discussed the upcoming International Girls Conference, scheduled for January 11-12 in Pakistan, which celebrates initiatives by Islamic nations to promote education for girls. He emphasized Islam’s support for education for both men and women, countering misconceptions about the prohibition of women’s education in Islam.
Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani assured full support for establishing the Al-Azhar campus in Pakistan. He highlighted the government’s commitment to equal educational opportunities by inviting over 2,000 female students nationwide to the international conference.
Additionally, he informed the Egyptian delegation about the introduction of Arabic language classes in public schools in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to enhance understanding of Islam’s teachings.
The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, marking a significant step toward fostering educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
