Grand Imam of Al-Azhar: We are ready to intensify the training courses for Indonesian imams at the Al-Azhar

His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, met with Jusuf Kalla, former Vice President of Indonesia and Chairperson of the Indonesian Mosque Council, at his residence in Jakarta, Indonesia. The pair discussed ways Al-Azhar can support Indonesian imams.

Jusuf Kalla welcomed the Grand Imam on his third visit to Indonesia, emphasizing the high regard in which Indonesians hold Al-Azhar as a significant religious authority. He also noted that graduates of Al-Azhar among Indonesian imams are trusted by the public for their balanced approach, which accommodates social developments while preserving religious and Islamic heritage.

The Chairperson of the Indonesian Mosque Council requested the Grand Imam to intensify the training programs for Indonesian imams at the Al-Azhar International Academy for Imams and Preachers, increase the number of Al-Azhar envoys to Indonesia, and allocate scholarships for Indonesian imams to pursue postgraduate studies at Al-Azhar University.

The former Vice President of Indonesia further highlighted the necessity for Al-Azhar to play a pivotal role in combating extremist ideologies prevalent in some Islamic countries, which seek to prevent girls from attending schools and universities. He stressed that Al-Azhar is capable of addressing and refuting such ideologies, thus saving these societies from potential future crises.