ISLAMABAD: Egyptian Grand Mufti Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad announced Friday Al-Azhar University, a renowned center of Islamic learning, plans to establish a campus in Pakistan, a move welcomed by Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who pledged full government support during their meeting in Islamabad.
Founded in Cairo in 970 CE, Al-Azhar is celebrated for its rigorous scholarship in Islamic theology, jurisprudence, Arabic studies and modern sciences. With a legacy spanning over a millennium, the university is a key authority on Islamic thought and attracts students globally.
The discussion on branching out into Pakistan took place during a meeting between the two officials, which was also attended by the Egyptian ambassador to Pakistan.
“Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt, thanked the federal minister for his warm welcome and said that Al-Azhar University will establish its campus in Pakistan,” read an official statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Federal Education.
“He said it is important that people learn the Arabic language to understand the true teachings of Islam,” it continued.
The Pakistani minister highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties his country shared with Egypt, both of which, he noted, were part of the world’s oldest civilizations. Siddiqui described Al-Azhar University as a beacon of Islamic scholarship, expressing his aspiration to visit the institution in Cairo.
During the meeting, he also highlighted Pakistan’s upcoming International Girls Conference, scheduled for January 11-12, which aims to promote girls’ education in Islamic countries.
“It is a misconception that Islam does not allow women’s education,” Siddiqui said, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for women.
The Grand Mufti noted that over 40 percent of Al-Azhar University’s students were female. He also encouraged Pakistan to send scholars to Egypt to benefit from the institution’s expertise.
Al-Azhar’s operations are primarily based in Egypt, where it has campuses in several cities. Internationally, the university extends its influence by offering scholarships to students who disseminate its teachings upon returning to their home countries.
The university has also collaborated with educational institutions worldwide and established cultural centers to promote Islamic studies and the Arabic language.
In 2022, Pakistan’s late religious affairs minister, Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, announced plans to open a campus in Lahore.
The initiative, which included Al-Azhar providing faculty, curriculum and textbooks, was to be administratively managed by Pakistan.
Al-Azhar University to establish campus in Pakistan, says Egyptian grand mufti
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Al-Azhar University to establish campus in Pakistan, says Egyptian grand mufti
- Founded in 970 CE, Al-Azhar is known for its scholarship in theology, jurisprudence and Arabic studies
- The grand mufti also asked Pakistan to send scholars to Egypt to benefit from the institution’s expertise
Pakistan, China agree to step up counterterrorism coordination, hold regular security talks
- The interior ministers of both countries agree on quarterly working-group meetings, annual high-level talks
- Islamabad says Beijing expressed satisfaction over protection of Chinese citizens and projects in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China agreed on Wednesday to institutionalize closer collaboration on counterterrorism and internal security, committing to regular meetings and expanded coordination amid efforts by both countries to safeguard Chinese nationals and projects amid persistent militant threats in the region.
The agreement was reached during talks between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Xiaohong at the headquarters of China’s Ministry of Public Security in Beijing, according to an official statement circulated in Islamabad.
China has raised concerns in the past over attacks targeting its citizens working on infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan. Islamabad has stepped up security deployments and intelligence coordination in response, while Beijing has pushed for more structured and predictable security engagement.
“The two sides discussed joint counterterrorism measures, police training exchange programs and ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” Pakistan’s interior ministry said in a statement, adding that the two officials agreed to hold working-level meetings every three months and annual talks at the interior ministers’ level.
Wang expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s steps to protect Chinese citizens and projects, the statement added, praising Pakistan’s counterterrorism measures and internal security initiatives.
China also acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in its fight against militancy, according to the statement.
Naqvi and Wang stressed the need to further improve coordination mechanisms to enhance operational cooperation between the two countries’ security agencies.
His meeting with his Chinese counterpart lasted for over three years.
