President of Indonesia Praises Al-Azhar' Efforts in Promoting Fraternity

President Joko Widodo of Indonesia welcomed His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta to discuss ways to enhance mutual cooperation. President Widodo expressed his delight at the Grand Imam’s visit to Indonesia, highlighting its significance for the Indonesian people who hold great love and respect for him. Al-Azhar is the primary reference for Indonesian Muslims in religious and Arabic sciences, and the President emphasized Indonesia’s intention to increase - and even double - the number of Indonesian students studying at Al-Azhar, as they play a crucial role in safeguarding the country and its youth from extremist ideologies.

President Widodo also expressed Indonesia’s desire to strengthen its relationship with Al-Azhar, particularly in training imams and preachers at the Al-Azhar International Academy and enhancing cooperation between Al-Azhar's Observatory for Combating Extremism and Indonesian centers working in the same field. He mentioned the potential for cooperation agreements between Al-Azhar University and Indonesian universities and research centers for the exchange of scholars, professors, researchers, and students. He praised the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders in promoting global values of fraternity and peace and expressed his happiness over the opening of a regional office of the Council in Indonesia, believing it to be an excellent platform to serve Muslims in Southeast Asia.