About al-azhar alumni uk

The concept of establishing the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates was put forward during the first world symposium for Al-Azhar graduates which took place in Cairo from the 12th to 14th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal 1427 ah, equivalent to the 11th to 13th of April 2006 ce. The members of the symposium felt the need for establishing an entity that could play several roles. They aspired for an entity that would strengthen communication between Al-Azhar and its graduates worldwide. That entity would also enhance the universal role of Al-Azhar and its approach of moderation and balance. In addition, it would preserve the identity and heritage of the Islamic nation (Ummah) and protect the values and the principles of Islam by confronting campaigns wishing to distort its image. Consequently, the Association was founded as a non-governmental organization registered in the Arab Republic of Egypt. It was founded by a group of prominent scholars headed by Shaykh Professor Dr Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi (the previous Grand Imam), Professor Dr Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzuq (former Minister of Religious Endowments of Egypt) and Shaykh Professor Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb (the present Grand Imam).

In May 2011, Jamia Al-Karam based at Eaton Hall in Retford, which has enjoyed a long standing academic relationship with Al-Azhar University, was appointed as the main contact office of the University and branch of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates tasked with promoting the aims and objectives of the Association in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, on the 25th of June 2011, the United Kingdom Branch of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG UK) was inaugurated in a formal meeting by Shaykh Professor Dr Abdul Fadeel al-Qawsi (Vice Chairman of WAAG International and Minister of Religious Endowments of Egypt), Mr Usama Yasin (Vice Chairman of WAAG International) and Dr Abdel Dayem Nusear (Secretary General of WAAG International).

WAAG UK is chaired by its President, Shaykh M I H Pirzada, and is the outreach arm of Al-Azhar University and the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates in the United Kingdom and serves to further the aims and objectives of the Association focussing on building bridges between the ancient seat of Islamic learning and scholarship of Al-Azhar and the modern Western world.

Shaykh Professor Dr Ahmad Muhammad al-Tayyeb
The Grand Imam and Shaykh of Al-Azhar President and Chairman

Shaykh Professor Dr Abdul Fadeel al-Qawsi
Deputy to the Grand Imam Vice-Chairman for Academic and Cultural Affairs

Mr Ossama Yassin
Vice-Chairman for Financial and Administrative Affairs

Professor Dr Abdel Dayem Nusear
Secretary-General

Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada
Founder and Principal of Jamia Al-Karam President and Chairman

Bakhtyar H. Pirzada al-Azhari
Vice-President

International Leadership
	Shaykh Professor Dr Ahmad Muhammad al-Tayyeb The Grand Imam and Shaykh of Al-Azhar President and Chairman
	Shaykh Professor Dr Abdul Fadeel al-Qawsi Deputy to the Grand Imam Vice-Chairman for Academic and Cultural Affairs
	Mr Ossama Yassin Vice-Chairman for Financial and Administrative Affairs
	Professor Dr Abdel Dayem Nusear Secretary-General
UK Branch Leadership
	Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada Founder and Principal of Jamia Al-Karam President and Chairman
	Bakhtyar H. Pirzada al-Azhari Vice-President
UK Branch Executive Members
	Imam Muhammad Irfan Faizi Chishti MBE Rochdale
	Qari Abu Adam Mohammed Rizwan Akhlaq Birmingham
	Imam Abu Baqar Ali Bradford
	Shaykh Rizwan Hussain al-Azhari Southampton
	Imam Iftikhar Daad al-Azhari London
	Hafiz Mahboob Hussain al-Azhari Retford
	Maulana Hafiz Gul Muhammad Retford
	Imam Hassan Rabbani al-Azhari Glasgow
	Hafiz Musaddaq Shaheen al-Azhari Peterborough
	Imam Ghulam Moyhuddin al-Azhari Ashton-under-Lyne