Al Azhar Grand Imam Meets Pakistani Army Chief in Cairo

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, received General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Al-Azhar headquarters in Cairo. The meeting reaffirmed strong ties between Al-Azhar and Pakistan, especially in education and religious cooperation.

Al-Tayyeb expressed readiness to increase scholarships for Pakistani students, currently at 30 annually, and to include scientific fields like medicine and engineering, alongside Islamic studies. He also confirmed Al-Azhar's willingness to open Arabic language centers in Pakistan, supporting efforts to preserve Islamic heritage.

On regional issues, the Grand Imam stressed that there can be no global stability without a just solution for the Palestinian cause, affirming Egypt’s unwavering support for an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. He described the ongoing suffering in Gaza as a deep humanitarian wound and called for renewed awareness and unity across the Muslim world.

General Mirza praised Al-Azhar as a symbol of Islamic moderation and extended an official invitation for Sheikh Al-Tayeb to visit Pakistan, which the Grand Imam accepted with appreciation. He emphasized the Pakistani people’s deep respect for Al-Azhar and their trust in its balanced religious leadership.