Al-Azhar University, one of the most prestigious centers of Islamic learning, has announced plans to open a campus in Pakistan to strengthen educational ties and focus on promoting women’s education and 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 emphasized the importance of this collaboration in enhancing the educational landscape of both countries, highlighting the need for Arabic language learning to truly understand Islam’s teachings. He also praised Al-Azhar’s commitment to women’s education, with over 40% of its students being women.
Minister Siddiqui welcomed the delegation, underlining the strong Islamic and cultural bonds between Pakistan and Egypt. He also discussed the upcoming International Girls Conference in Pakistan, which will focus on the promotion of girls’ education across Islamic countries.
The Minister reiterated that Islam supports both men and women’s education and stressed the Pakistani government’s commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for women.
Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani assured full support in establishing the Al-Azhar campus in Pakistan. He also shared that Arabic language classes have been introduced in public schools in Islamabad to promote awareness of Islam’s true teachings.
This meeting, attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to Pakistan, marked a significant step towards further educational and cultural cooperation between the two nations.
