Monday, 25 May 2026
Source: Egypt’s Ministry of Religious Endowments
Egypt and Turkey deepen religious and cultural ties through Al-Azhar
In a recent high-level meeting in Cairo, Egypt’s Minister of Religious Endowments, Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, welcomed Turkey’s President of Religious Affairs, Dr. Ali Erbas, and his delegation to discuss new opportunities for religious and academic cooperation between the two nations.
During the talks, Dr. Al-Azhari highlighted the long-standing and deep-rooted relationship between Egypt and Turkey, reflecting the strong bond between their leaderships. He underscored the importance of expanding collaboration in both religious and cultural fields, emphasizing how such ties can benefit not only their own countries but the broader Islamic world.
Al-Azhari pointed to the historic Turkish Pavilion (Riwaq al-Atrak) at Al-Azhar University—a center of learning for Muslim scholars for centuries—as a symbol of the deep academic and cultural ties between Egypt and Turkey. “Al-Azhar has always been, and will remain, a beacon of learning for students from Turkey and across the Islamic world,” he said, expressing pride in welcoming Turkish students seeking knowledge and wisdom in Egypt.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to shared values, such as the importance of compassion, wisdom, and constructive dialogue in religious outreach. Dr. Erbas, for his part, praised Egypt’s pivotal role in Islamic scholarship and lauded Al-Azhar’s enduring status as a respected institution. He noted that around 700 Turkish students are currently studying at Al-Azhar, further illustrating the strength of scholarly ties between the two countries.
The meeting concluded with a mutual desire to strengthen partnerships through the exchange of scholars, joint scientific programs, and academic support for Egyptian students wishing to study in Turkey.
This renewed cooperation is seen as a positive step towards fostering greater understanding, promoting moderation, and serving humanity at large—a message both Egyptian and Turkish leaders hope will resonate throughout the Muslim world.