Al-Azhar Hosts Grand Ramadan Iftar Uniting Students from Across Globe

The historic Al-Azhar Mosque hosted a large communal iftar on Friday, bringing together international students from multiple continents in a vivid display of unity, scholarship, and spiritual fellowship during the second day of Ramadan 1447 AH.

Dr. Mohamed El-Dewini, Deputy Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, participated in the collective iftar held in the mosque’s central courtyard, where thousands of students gathered at a single table that symbolized the institution’s enduring message of moderation and inclusivity.

Students representing diverse nations, cultures, and languages shared the Ramadan meal side by side, united by their pursuit of knowledge and their affiliation with Al-Azhar’s moderate scholarly tradition. The scene reflected the mosque’s longstanding role as a global center of Islamic learning and a meeting point for scholars from around the world.

El-Dewini inspected the organization of the event, ensuring the smooth entry of students into the courtyard and overseeing logistical arrangements, a gesture underscoring Al-Azhar’s commitment to caring for its international scholars.

He emphasized that supporting international students remains a core priority of Al-Azhar’s mission, describing them as ambassadors of the institution and carriers of its balanced methodology to their home countries.

The deputy grand imam noted that Ramadan offers a renewed opportunity to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and reinforce the values of solidarity and compassion. The communal iftar, he said, serves as a practical embodiment of Islamic principles of unity and mutual care.

The daily iftar initiative is organized and supervised by the Egyptian House of Zakat and Charity under the patronage of Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.

According to organizers, approximately 7,000 iftar meals are distributed each day, including 5,000 hot meals and 2,000 dry meal packages, in addition to 3,000 suhoor meals. The program operates under an integrated system that ensures proper organization, hygiene standards, and humanitarian considerations.