CAIRO – Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb lauded the academic, religious and cultural ties with Indonesia, saying as the world’s highest authority in Sunni Islamic thought and Islamic jurisprudence, Al Azhar has become a destination for Indonesian students, who are keen to learn the moderate teachings of Islam and counter extremist ideologies.
Tayyeb made the remarks during his meeting here with Khofifah Indar Parawansa, the governor of Indonesia’s East Java.
The Grand Imam expressed sincere condolences to the Indonesian government and people over the victims of a powerful earthquake that rocked Java Island, leaving scores of people dead and hundreds injured.
Tayyeb wished a speedy recovery for the wounded.
On her part, East Java governor said that she was pleased with her talks with Al Azhar grand imam, adding Indonesian students are keen to translate Tayyeb’s speeches on propagating the tolerance of Islam and countering extremism.
She noted that the Indonesian government seeks to receive professors from Al Azhar University, especially in the majors of medicine and pharmacy, hoping that Al Azhar would increase the number of scholarships offered to the students of East Java.