Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui met with a high-powered delegation led by Dr Nazir Mohamed Ayad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt, here on Friday.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Education Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani and Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan, Dr Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan.

Khalid Maqbool Siddique welcomed the delegation warm heartedly and said Egypt and Pakistan have a strong Islamic and cultural bond.

He said Pakistan and Egypt, both have a civilisation that is amongst the oldest in the world. He said Al-Azhar University holds immense importance for all of the Islamic world. He said it is his dream to visit the educational hub of Islamic teachings.

The Minister while discussing the International Gils Conference being organised in Pakistan on 11th -12th January, said that he is proud of the initiative being taken by the Islamic countries to promote girls’ education.

He said it is a misconception that Islam does not allow women’s education. He said Islam believes in the education of all men and women.

He said the government of Pakistan has put highest priority in ensuring that women of Pakistan have equal educational opportunities just as men.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that Egypt and Pakistan should enhance their partnership and efforts in promoting girls’ education.

He said an educated women means a progressive and cultured society which will also nurture and nourish the future generation according to the real teachings of Islam.

Dr Nazir Mohamed Ayad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt, thanked the Federal Minister for his warm welcome and said that Al-Azhar University will establish its campus in Pakistan.

He said it is important that people learn the Arabic language so that they can understand the true teaching of Islam. He said Al-Azhar University is one of the staunch supporters of women’s education.

He said Al-Azhar University will promote not only the teachings of Islam but also about the Arabic culture so that the two countries can be brought further together.

Dr Nazir Mohamed Ayad said Al-Azhar University has more than 40 percent female students. He said Pakistan should send scholars to Egypt so that they can learn from the experience and teachings of one of the oldest institutions in the world.

Secretary Education said the Ministry of Education will provide every available support to establish the Al-Azhar campus. He said to further highlight the intent of the government provide women with equal educational opportunities, more than 2000 female students from colleges and universities across Pakistan have been invited to attend the International Girls Conference on 11th January, 2025.

He further informed Dr Nazir Mohamed Ayad that all public schools in Islamabad have started Arabic classes with the sole intention to increase awareness about the true teachings of Islam.