The Al-Azhar University has announced plans to open a campus in Pakistan, strengthening ties between the two nations and focusing on promoting women’s education and deepening understanding of Islamic teachings and Arabic culture.

The announcement was made during a meeting between Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Egypt Grand Mufti Nazir Mohamed Ayad in Islamabad on Friday.

Ayad expressed the importance of this collaboration in strengthening the educational landscape of both countries. He also emphasised the value of learning Arabic to fully grasp the true teachings of Islam, while highlighting “Al-Azhar University’s strong support for women’s education, with over 40% of its students being women.”

Siddiqui emphasised the Islamic and cultural ties between Egypt and Pakistan. He noted that both countries share ancient civilizations among the oldest in the world.

The minister further discussed the upcoming International Girls Conference in Pakistan on January 11-12, celebrating the initiative by Islamic countries to promote girls’ education. He clarified that Islam supports the education of both men and women, dispelling misconceptions about the prohibition of women’s education in Islam. He stressed that the government “prioritises equal educational opportunities for women.”

He urged greater collaboration between Egypt and Pakistan in advancing girls’ education, emphasising that “educating women is key to building a progressive society.” He further reiterated that such efforts would help nurture future generations in alignment with the true teachings of Islam.

Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani assured full support from Pakistan’s Ministry of Education in establishing the Al-Azhar campus. He noted that over 2,000 female students from colleges and universities across Pakistan have been invited to attend the International Girls Conference.