Under
the patronage of His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Dr. Mohamed
Hany Ghoneim, Governor of Fayoum, and Prof. Yasser Magdy Hatata, President of
Fayoum University, attended the annual celebration of the founding of Al-Azhar
Mosque. Also present were Prof. Assem El-Essawy, Vice President of the
University for Community Service and Environmental Development and Supervisor
of the Postgraduate Studies and Research Sector; Prof. Sherif El-Attar, Vice
President of the University for Education and Student Affairs; Sheikh Mahmoud
Hassanin, Director of the Central Administration at Al-Azhar; Brigadier General
Sherif Amer, Military Advisor to the Governor; Major General Hazem Ezzat,
Secretary-General of the Governorate and Undersecretary of the Ministry of
Religious Endowments in Fayoum; and a number of members of the House of
Representatives and the Senate, undersecretaries of ministries, a
representative of the Church, Al-Azhar staff, and students. The event took
place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in the Central Library Hall at the
University.
Dr.
Mohamed Hany Ghoneim affirmed that Al-Azhar works to establish noble, moderate,
and balanced moral values, reinforces the tolerant principles of Islam,
maintains the stability of the nation, combats destructive ideologies, and
corrects misconceptions.
He noted
that Al-Azhar holds a special place in the hearts of all Egyptians, affirming
the governorate's support for Al-Azhar institutes in Fayoum.
He
explained that he would work diligently to develop the governorate, address its
current challenges, and utilize its diverse resources through collaborative
efforts and cooperation with all institutions, especially Fayoum University.
For his
part, Prof. Yasser Magdy Hatata emphasized the steady progress of cooperation
between the university and the governorate, highlighting the university's role
as a center of expertise, boasting professors specializing in various fields.
He
further noted that Al-Azhar represents the true face of moderate Islam through
its well-structured curriculum and its robust university, which integrates
Sharia, Quranic studies, Hadith, medicine, engineering, and other disciplines.
He added that the university administration is committed to hosting this event
annually.
Sheikh
Mahmoud Hassanin stated that Al-Azhar Mosque was inaugurated on the 7th of
Ramadan in the year 361 AH (972 CE) and has continued to spread knowledge for
1086 years. He emphasized that Al-Azhar is constantly evolving and developing
through the preparation of preachers, the training of teachers and imams, the
organization of various competitions in Quran memorization, recitation, and
Tajweed (the rules of Quranic recitation), and the preservation of the Arabic
language and sound Quranic discourse.
He
stressed that Al-Azhar is committed to preserving a moderate Islamic identity
without denying non-Muslims their religious beliefs and strives to promote
peaceful coexistence among all Egyptians.
On the
sidelines of the ceremony, His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb,
Sheikh of Al-Azhar, presented a copy of the Quran to the Governor of Fayoum and
the President of the University. A documentary video about Al-Azhar Mosque was
also shown, and students presented several religious chants.
