Al-Azhar Grand Imam praises Yunus, promises scholarships for Bangladeshi students

Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s future under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus during a meeting on Tuesday.

The head of the prestigious Islamic institution predicted that Bangladesh would prosper and reach new heights under Yunus's guidance.

The meeting took place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Grand Imam extended an invitation to Professor Yunus to deliver a speech at the millennium-old Al-Azhar University. The Imam also promised new fully funded scholarships for Bangladeshi students during the event.

"We are optimistic about the future of Bangladesh under your leadership. You are a man of wisdom," Al-Tayeb said, commending Yunus’s approach to governance and the country’s recent reforms. He added, "I salute you for adopting a wiser approach."

In response, Professor Yunus thanked the Grand Imam for the invitation and extended an invitation for him to visit Bangladesh to witness firsthand the societal transformations following the student-led uprising. The Chief Adviser spoke about the significant reforms initiated by the Interim Government in the wake of the uprising.

The Grand Imam praised Yunus’s social impact, highlighting Grameen Bank’s groundbreaking work in microfinance and Yunus’s dedication to eradicating poverty. Yunus expressed his gratitude to Al-Azhar for its support dating back to the 1980s when the institution affirmed that Grameen Bank's interest system aligned with Islamic teachings.

Yunus presented the Grand Imam with a copy of The Art of Triumph, an art book featuring wall murals and graffiti from the revolution, which the Grand Imam applauded as a testament to the artistic talents of Bangladeshi students. He also recognized the contributions of Bangladeshi students currently studying at Al-Azhar University.