Ali Abdi Aware, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, expressed his deep appreciation for the longstanding historical and scholarly ties between Somalia and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, affirming that the relationship represents an outstanding model of cooperation in scholarship, religious outreach, and the promotion of moderation and a balanced approach.
The remarks came following the ambassador’s meeting with His Eminence the Grand Imam, Professor Ahmed El-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, at Al-Azhar’s Sheikhdom. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen scientific and religious-outreach cooperation and benefit from Al-Azhar’s expertise in supporting religious and educational institutions and training and qualifying imams and preachers in Somalia.
The ambassador affirmed that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif enjoys a distinguished standing among the Somali people, noting that generations of Somali scholars and intellectuals received their education at Al-Azhar and, upon returning to their homeland, contributed to serving their communities and promoting knowledge and education.
He praised Al-Azhar’s role in supporting Somalia, particularly through the dispatch of 59 Al-Azhar envoys to the country, saying this reflects the depth of cooperation and Al-Azhar’s commitment to supporting the Somali people in scholarship and religious outreach.
The ambassador also commended the Grand Imam’s readiness to strengthen this cooperation and consider increasing the number of Al-Azhar envoys to Somalia in various fields of Sharia sciences and Arabic language, while expanding training and qualification opportunities for Somali imams and preachers at the Al-Azhar Global Academy for Training Imams and Preachers.
For his part, the Grand Imam affirmed that the relationship between Al-Azhar and the Somali people is deep and firmly rooted, noting that many Somali scholars received their education at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif.
He added that Al-Azhar currently has 59 envoys serving in Somalia to promote Al-Azhar’s approach and reinforce the values of moderation.
The Grand Imam expressed Al-Azhar’s readiness to further expand its scholarly and religious-outreach support for Somalia and host more Somali imams for training and qualification. He also directed that consideration be given to increasing the number of Al-Azhar envoys to Somalia across various specialisations in Sharia sciences and Arabic language, in line with the needs of the Somali side.
The Somali ambassador emphasised his country’s desire to broaden cooperation with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and benefit from its moderate approach in promoting the values of tolerance, moderation, and coexistence, as well as addressing contemporary intellectual and religious challenges.
He reaffirmed Somalia’s appreciation for the historic and scholarly role played by Al-Azhar in supporting the peoples of Africa.
