Grand Imam of Al-Azhar receives President of Singapore to discuss strengthening scientific, interfaith cooperation

CAIRO – 22 September 2025: Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb received Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, and Mrs. Jane Yumiko Ittogi, the Singaporean First Lady, at Al-Azhar Sheikhdom today to discuss ways of enhancing joint scientific and advocacy cooperation.

El-Tayeb warmly welcomed the Singaporean President and his wife to Al-Azhar, praising Singapore as a model of scientific and educational advancement, something he personally observed during his previous visit to the country. He highlighted the deep historical ties between Al-Azhar and Singapore, emphasizing the vital role that Singaporean students have played in strengthening and advancing these relations over the years.

The Grand Imam affirmed Al-Azhar’s readiness to increase the number of scholarships offered to Singaporean students, in line with the needs of Singaporean society. He also expressed willingness to receive and train Singaporean imams at the Al-Azhar International Academy to enhance their ability to address contemporary challenges. Additionally, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb announced Al-Azhar’s readiness to establish an Arabic language center in Singapore, serving the people of Singapore in their pursuit of learning the language of the Noble Qur’an.

For his part, President Shanmugaratnam expressed his joy in meeting the Grand Imam and his deep appreciation for his efforts in promoting peace and global harmony. He expressed his gratitude to meet Sheikh el-Tayeb and to be here at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, a distinguished Islamic scholarly institution and global beacon of knowledge, promoting interfaith understanding and the peace. 

The Singaporean President reaffirmed his country’s pride in its longstanding relationship with Al-Azhar, which dates back to before Singapore’s independence in 1965. He noted that Al-Azhar has been, and continues to be, an inspirational institution in promoting Islamic scholarship, coexistence, social harmony, and interfaith dialogue in Singapore through its alumni.

President Shanmugaratnam extended his sincere gratitude for Al-Azhar’s support in establishing the College of Islamic Studies in Singapore, as well as for the scholarships and imam training opportunities provided by Al-Azhar. He described studying at Al-Azhar as a dream for thousands of Singaporean students, thanks to its global reputation and universal message.

The meeting also addressed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Both leaders stressed the urgent need for an immediate and unconditional cessation of the aggression against innocent civilians. The Grand Imam stated al Azhar’s support for all wise and just voices around the world, in exerting maximum pressure to end this criminal aggression. 

“We value the recent efforts to recognize the State of Palestine, which offer a glimmer of hope in what seemed an impossible situation. This recognition is a clear signal that the occupying power has lost the international support it relied upon for over seventy years. We pray to God to protect our brothers and sisters in Gaza and to see the Palestinian people living freely on their land with the rights granted to all other nations,” said the Grand Imam.

The discussion also covered Singapore's participation in the upcoming “Religions for Development and Peace” conference, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with Al-Azhar. 

Sheikh el-Tayeb said that he has agreed with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to convene this conference to showcase their countries as successful models of development and interfaith coexistence. “Sharing such pioneering experiences with the broader Islamic world will help shape a unified vision for collective progress. We are confident that Singapore’s participation and support will be instrumental in ensuring the conference's success,” he added. President Shanmugaratnam welcomed the invitation and pledged Singapore’s full support for the conference and its objectives.

On Sunday afternoon, the President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and the First Lady, Jane Yumiko Ittogi, visited the historic Al-Azhar Mosque. They were received by His Eminence Dr. Mohamed El-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, along with a delegation of senior Al-Azhar officials.

During the visit, the delegation provided an overview of the mosque’s various scientific and educational activities. The President and First Lady attended portions of several sessions, including Qur’anic recitations, and learned about Al-Azhar Mosque’s pioneering role in teaching Arabic and Islamic sciences to tens of thousands of students and visitors from around the world.

President Shanmugaratnam expressed his admiration for the mosque’s timeless architecture and the intricate Islamic designs and decorations adorning its walls and halls. He praised the artistic and cultural brilliance they represent, describing them as a reflection of the genius of Islamic civilization and a powerful symbol of Al-Azhar’s deep-rooted history and its lasting contributions to Egypt’s heritage and global Islamic scholarship.