In a historic first, a five-week online training programme for British Imams, mosque teachers, and preachers was launched earlier this week. This collaborative initiative, organised by the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates and the Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams, Preachers, and Fatwa Researchers, features a diverse range of specialist scholars from Al-Azhar University, Cairo.
During the inaugural session, Shaykh Dr. Abbas Shoman, President of the Board of Directors of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates and Secretary-General of Al-Azhar’s Council of Senior Scholars, delivered a welcome address to the British Imams. He expressed his delight at the opportunity to engage with Imams and scholars from around the world through such initiatives. Shaykh Dr. Shoman emphasized Al-Azhar’s readiness to offer comprehensive support in spreading the principles of moderation and promoting the true essence of Islam. He encouraged the participants to adhere to sound Islamic rulings while embracing flexibility, exemplifying Islam’s inherent tolerance, and making religious practice accessible to the people. In his concluding remarks, he urged the Imams to portray Islam’s tolerance within their communities, highlighting Al-Azhar’s methodology of balance and moderation.
Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari, Vice-President of Al-Azhar Alumni UK—the UK branch of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates—based at Jamia Al-Karam in Retford, which has facilitated this programme, praised this pioneering effort. He remarked: “Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has historically played a crucial role in guiding communities with knowledge and practical wisdom. Under the wise leadership of the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, this legacy continues today. This specialised training programme is a much-needed initiative for British Imams. Not only will they benefit from Al-Azhar’s expertise, but this will also establish a direct channel of communication between British Imams and Al-Azhar’s scholarship. We are deeply grateful to the World Organisation and the Al-Azhar Academy for collaborating to make this programme possible.”
The inaugural session focused on the theme of deconstructing extremist thought, with a particular emphasis on Islamic sects and denominations. The session was led by Dr. Jamil Tu’aylib, a professor of Islamic philosophy and creed, and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Theology at Al-Azhar University.
The online training programme is part of Al-Azhar’s ongoing commitment to supporting Imams and preachers worldwide. It aims to correct misconceptions about Islam while confronting the intellectual challenges posed by extremist and violent groups. Through its global network of branches of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates, Al-Azhar continues to play a pivotal role in addressing these pressing issues.
