ISLAMABAD: Al-Azhar University will set up its campus in Pakistan to help people learn the Arabic language to understand the true teachings of Islam as a two-day conference on girls education is all set to start here on Saturday (today).

Grand Mufti of Egypt Dr Nazir Mohamed Ayad, on the request of Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, announced the setting up of a campus of Al-Azhar University in Pakistan.

The minister and his team met a delegation led by Grand Mufti of Egypt and comprising Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan Dr Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan.

The Grand Mufti along with dozens of other scholars and educationists from around 40 countries are in Pakistan to attend the two-day conference on girls education.

Egypt’s Grand Mufti and dozens of other scholars from around 40 countries in capital to attend moot on girls education

Besides others, the conference will also be attended by globally acclaimed advocate for girls’ education Malala Yousafzai.

The Nobel Laureate will deliver a keynote address on girls education.

The Grand Mufti said Al-Azhar University was one of the staunch supporters of women’s education. He said the university through its campus in Pakistan will promote not only the teachings of Islam but also the Arabic culture so that the two countries can be brought further together.

Dr Ayad said that Al-Azhar University had more than 40 per cent female students, adding Pakistan should send scholars to Egypt so that they can learn from the experience and teachings of one of the oldest institutions in the world.

The education minister said that Egypt and Pakistan had a strong Islamic and cultural bond. He said the two countries have a civilisation that is amongst the oldest in the world. He said Al-Azhar University holds immense importance for the Islamic world.

He said it was a misconception that Islam does not allow women’s education. Islam believes in the education of all men and women. He said the government of Pakistan had put highest priority on ensuring women have equal educational opportunities.

The minister said Egypt and Pakistan should enhance their partnership and efforts in promoting girls education.

Secretary Education Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said the ministry would provide every available support to establish the Al-Azhar campus. He said over 2000 female students from colleges and universities across Pakistan had been invited to attend the girls conference.

Meanwhile, a day before the start of the conference, Pakistan’s top religious scholars gathered at Jinnah Convention Centre on Friday to discuss “Islamic Ideology for Education” and all of them supported girls education in the light of Islamic teachings.

According to education ministry, besides others, Secretary General of Muslim World League Sheikh Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha also attended this session. The session explored the values of knowledge, equity and empowerment rooted in Islamic tradition - key principles driving inclusive education for all. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Mufti Taqi Usmani, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology Allama Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Dr Noorul Haq Qadri and Maulana Tahir Ashrafi were amongst the participants.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2025