“My Experience in Pursuing Knowledge” – A Seminar at CIBF

The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair hosted its seventh cultural seminar, titled “My Experience in Pursuing Knowledge.” The event featured Sheikh Ali Saleh, one of the senior scholars of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and was moderated by Shehata Al-Arabi, a broadcaster from the Quran Radio Network.

The seminar explored Sheikh Ali Saleh’s personal journey in seeking knowledge, including his upbringing, the pivotal role his parents played in his education, his early studies at the kuttab (traditional Quranic school), the influence of his teachers, and his scholarly endeavors in mastering Islamic texts. He also discussed the vibrant academic environment that shaped his educational development and shared invaluable advice for aspiring students of knowledge.

Sheikh Saleh spoke in detail about the profound influence of his parents, particularly his mother, on his academic path. She actively supported his pursuit of knowledge, accompanying him to lessons, listening alongside him to lectures, and even helping him refine his understanding of ‘Ilm Al-‘Arud (the science of Arabic prosody). She even bought him fifty books to read when he was a child, which, by fate, were all on Arabic literature. This collection profoundly impacted his academic focus, leading him to specialize in this field.

Sheikh Saleh also shared anecdotes about the distinguished scholars and teachers who deeply influenced his intellectual development. During the seminar, Sheikh Saleh recited selections from his poetic compositions, which spanned topics such as prosody, grammar, and praise of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. These verses were met with great admiration from the audience. The event drew a significant crowd of visitors to the fair, as Sheikh Saleh urged students of knowledge to dedicate themselves to learning, spend time reading, and master the Arabic language.