With support from the University of Cambridge, Al-Azhar University provides special training for Imams and Muslim Chaplains working in British prisons.
A group of twelve Imams and Muslim Chaplains working in Her Majesty’s Prison Service recently took part in a new initiative launched by the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates at the University of Al-Azhar in Cairo of providing a tailored and specific programme of training for this line of work. The course has been put together and facilitated with the support of the University of Cambridge and the British High Commission in Cairo.
The course is under the patronage of the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, and fits in with the aim of propagating the true moderate message of Islam around the world. This tailored course lasted for two weeks. The Vice Chairman of WAAG, Mr Usama Yasin announced that such courses were being put together in order to provide continuous and on-going training to religious scholars and leaders tailored to their line of work so that the moderate and balanced viewpoint of Al-Azhar, as the true representative of Islam, is promoted around the world in various sectors. Furthermore, this particular course also provided guidance on counselling and dealing with the affairs of the Muslim prisoners in the United Kingdom and addressing their religious and social rehabilitation. The course also looked at elements of Islamic scholarship including the important theme of fatwa, the fiqh of minorities, rectification of Islamic thought, ethics and spirituality, etc.
The course was delivered by senior expert scholars of Al-Azhar from the teaching departments to the research faculties. They included Shaykh Dr Muhammad Abdul Fadeel al-Qawsi, Dr al-Qasabi Zalat, Dr Usama al-Azhari and Dr Muhammad ‘Ammarah.
The two week training programme also included recreational tours as well as visits to religious sites around Cairo as well as a meeting with the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, and the Grand Mufti, Shaykh Dr Shawqi ‘Allam. During the visit to the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb welcomed the delegation from Britain and commented on the great responsibility bestowed upon the Imams and Chaplains for which they are accountable before Allah and before the people saying, “You hold the guidance of the people in the West and you hold the shaping of their view of Islam, whether negative or positive.” He further highlighted their role as chaplains for they also carry the responsibility of trying to reform individuals who have lived a life of crime. He emphasised the Qur’anic order of using wisdom and beautiful preaching in their approach as well as remaining moderate and in balance. At the conclusion of the meeting, The Grand Imam presented the delegates with their certificates for completing the Al-Azhar programme of training.
From their part, the delegation thanked Al-Azhar University, the Grand Imam and the scholars for organising this training from which they benefited immensely. Speaking about the experience, Imam Muhammad Belal from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, whose sons study at Jamia Al-Karam which is home of the UK Branch of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG UK) and who had travelled to Cairo for this training programme, said, “The experience was absolutely wonderful. We learnt a lot and met some of the leading Islamic scholars and thinkers in the world. It was certainly a well worth trip and we have returned with a renewed energy.
[ENDS]