Sheikh Al-Azhar Meets Governor of Borno State, Nigeria, to Discuss Cooperation in Religious and Educational Fields

Sheikh Al-Azhar Meets Governor of Borno State, Nigeria, to Discuss Cooperation in Religious and Educational Fields

By: Our Reporter

The Governor of Borno State praises the Grand Imam’s role in promoting coexistence among nations.

Today, Monday, His Eminence, the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, received Prof Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, Nigeria, accompanied by a delegation of state officials who are graduates of Al-Azhar. The meeting aimed to explore ways to support the people and imams of Borno State in religious and educational fields.

The Grand Imam emphasized Al-Azhar’s commitment to supporting Muslims in Nigeria by sending educational and religious missions, welcoming Nigerian students to study at Al-Azhar, and offering scholarships, particularly to Nigerian students. He noted that Al-Azhar currently hosts more than 5,000 Nigerian students across various educational levels and provides 55 scholarships annually to Nigerian students. Additionally, 12 Al-Azhar envoys are dispatched to Nigeria to promote the values of moderation and balance.

For his part, Mr. Babagana Zulum expressed his happiness at meeting the Grand Imam, praising his efforts in fostering tolerance and peaceful coexistence among nations. He also commended Al-Azhar’s leading role in supporting education and spreading Islamic teachings in Nigeria. The governor highlighted that Borno State is home to an Al-Azhar institute established in 1991, which educates a large number of male and female students. This institute has significantly contributed to strengthening Islamic culture and promoting Al-Azhar’s moderate approach throughout the state.

The Governor of Borno affirmed his country’s aspiration to expand cooperation with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, increase the number of scholarships offered to Nigerian students, and benefit from the training programs for Borno’s imams at Al-Azhar’s International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. These efforts aim to protect youth from extremist ideologies and leverage Al-Azhar’s expertise in spreading the values of moderation and reinforcing concepts of tolerance among the diverse components of Nigerian society.

Sheikh Al-Azhar Meets Governor of Borno State, Nigeria, to Discuss Cooperation in Religious and Educational Fields