Pakistan Embassy hosts luncheon for Pakistani Ulema from Al Azhar University
Ambassador H.E. Aamir Shouket, hosted a luncheon at the embassy of Pakistan in Cairo today in honour of a group of 19 Pakistani imams currently undergoing a training course titled "Deconstructing the Extremist Ideology", being held from April 26th to May 7th, 2026, in collaboration between the Al-Azhar International Academy and the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates for a delegation of imams from Pakistan. The luncheon was also attended by distinguished faculty members of Al-Azhar University, including Abbas Shoman, Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and President of the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Shouket underscored the enduring religious, educational, and cultural ties between Pakistan and Egypt. He commended Al-Azhar’s pivotal role in promoting moderation, tolerance, and scholarly excellence across the world. Addressing the visiting Pakistani imams, the Ambassador encouraged them to benefit fully from their training and serve as ambassadors of balanced and enlightened religious understanding upon their return.
An engaging exchange followed, during which the Pakistani imams shared their experiences at Al-Azhar, highlighting the depth of academic rigor and exposure to diverse jurisprudential perspectives. They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to study at one of the most prestigious centres of Islamic learning and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering interfaith harmony and countering extremism.

Dr. Abbas Shoman, in his address, emphasized Al-Azhar’s historic mission to uphold authentic Islamic teachings rooted in moderation and intellectual openness. He lauded Pakistan’s contributions to the field of academics in Muslim world and appreciated the dedication of the participating imams. He also reaffirmed Al-Azhar’s commitment to continued collaboration with Pakistan in training religious scholars.

The luncheon concluded with a shared resolve to further strengthen institutional linkages and expand cooperation in religious education and capacity-building initiatives.