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Al-AZHAR OF EGYPT AND THE AICP or
(AICP.org – Association of Islamic Charitable Projects)
OF LEBANON THE KINSHIP OF THE NEW MILLINIUM
A grand and distinguished development was the focus of attention in the city of Beirut on the 9th of Sha^ban coinciding with the 17th of November 1999. On that day a historic agreement was signed between the Academy of Islamic knowledge-Al-azhar of Egypt and the Institute of Islamic teachings of the Association of Islamic Charitable ProjectsBeirut Lebanon. This remarkable agreement outlined a collaborative exchange in Islamic knowledge, culture and the Sciences, between the two highly acclaimed sources of Islamic references.
Dr. Ahmad ^Omar Hashem, Head Master of Al-Azhar arrived at Beirut accompanied by Dr. Mohammad Saleh, Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sstudies and Modern Sciences, in response to an invitation received from the Association of Islamic Charitable ProjectsBeirut Lebanon.
The ceremony which signified the mutual agreement of support was held at the Commodore Hotel in Beirut. Official attendants included Sheikh Hussam Qaraqira International AICP President. Dr. ^Adnan Taraboulsi AICP Vice President, AICP executive members, Honorary Sheikhs, Head Masters, educators, and trainers of the AICP education Colleges and Training Centres.
The ceremony was initiated by a glorious recitation from the honorable Qur’an. Sheikh Ussama Al-Sayed, Head of the AICP Biqa^ branch delivered the first word in which he welcomed the honorary guests and commended the achievements and progress of Al-Azhar and the crucial impact the agreement in focus will have on the Islamic nation. Afterwards Dr. Hashem and Sheikh Hussam Qaraqirah proceeded with signing the symbolic agreement; the product of negotiations outlining a collaboration of Islamic Cultural Knowledge and the Sciences to be exchanged between Al-Azhar and the AICP. A clear understanding of shared interests and goals was established. This lead to the conclusion, the AICP would be consulted with, to help coordinate the academic curriculum taught at Al-Azhar, making shared responsibility inevitable.
This was followed by a word by Dr. Ahmad Hashem reaffirming the purpose of the agreement. “It signifies the shared interest and concern towards preserving the Islamic Legacy of Al-Azhar bound by the Islamic knowledge, culture and ethics”. Dr. Ahmad Hashem recogized the befitting aims of the AICP and said, “ in recognizing the authenticity and principles of moderation adopted by the AICP, potential students will be sent to the AICP to acquire essential fundamental and supplementary Islamic knowledge. This will empower such students to become moderate Islamic activists working within the boundaries of moderation exercised by the AICP”. He added “ we welcome students from around the world aspiring to acquire Islamic knowledge from Al-Azhar”.
Dr. Ahmad commented on the presnt situation of the Muslim nation and the effect of knowledge for empowerment. He said, “It is well known that the present Islamic nation faces enormous challenges that we as Muslims must confront with knowledge and intellect in order to defeat the infectious propagation against Islam”. He added “we need to readapt to the authentic Islamic heritage. For the achievement of this goal we welcome the contribution and support of the Scholars and Sheikhs of the AICP. I have observed the AICP to be the fortress of knowledge and the shield of sound intellect necessary to our nation. The nation of Islam, presently totaling a fifth of today’s global population, needs to reunite and to congregate like we gather here today. We must adhere to the orders of Allah and diffuse the factors of friction and division. Prophet Muhammad warned us against becoming disunited and disrupted. We as a nation possess the secret power of this nation—we possess the Holly Qur’an, which embeds the principles of victory and success”. To clarify this fact and point to the impressions held by non Muslims towards the Quran, Dr. Hashem darw on a statement made by a non Muslim. He said, “this true fact is evidently recognized even by the enemies of Islam. Reportedly, one such enemy who was present in a formal session once said ‘we have no hope of achieving resolution as long as the Qur’an remains the possession and constitution of Muslims’”.
Dr. Hashem then declared, “we are in need of Islamic Institutions and Colleges active in spreading the Qur’anic teachings,the authentic Islamic culture, the sound intellect and exceptional conduct such as that inherent in the practice of the AICP. That which is free from exaggerations and extremism”. Dr. Hashem concluded his compelling speech by expressing his great joy in signing this agreement with the AICP. He forecast this to be the beginning of a relationship committed to mutual interest and cooperation. He supplicated that the AICP continue flourishing in the realms of progress and achievement.
Sheikh Hussam Quaraqira delivered the climax of the evening in an equally compelling speech in his rank as the International President of the AICP. After welcoming Dr. Ahmad Hashem, Dr. Mohammad Saleh and guests, Sheikh Hussam gave recognition to the vital role played by Al-Azhar up until its present day. He ascertained Al-Azhar is a prominent source of Islamic reference relied upon even beyond its national borders. The Honorable Sheikh Hussam added, “Al-Azahr remains immune from the spread of misinformation produced by the many imposter associations that have emerged to inject a disease into the pure teachings of Islam. The Azhar reamins diligent in preserving authentic Islamic scripts and the teachings of acclaimed Muslim scholars and their consensus”.
Dr. Ahmad Hashem took the stage once again to present two wall plaques to AICP officials representing the gratitude and high regard Al-Azhar holds for the AICP. Dr. Ahmad Hashem presented the first plaque to Sheikh Hussam Qararqira and the second to Dr. ^Adnan Taraboulsi. The ceremony was sealed by the alluring voices of the chanting group.
During their visit to Beirut, Dr. Ahmad Hashem and Dr. Mohammad Salah paid a special visit to the Honorable Shiekh ^Abdullah Al-Harrariy at his home. They were accompanied by the Honourable Shiekh Hussam Qaraqira, Dr. ^Adnan Taraboulsi and a number of Sheikh’s and other executive administrative members of the AICP.
The visit was aromatized with a discussion about general Islamic matters and the current situation of the Islamic mission and its missionaries. The topics of emphasis were the importance of the spread of the Islamic knowledge and its culture and heritage as well as to teach the methodology of prophet Muhammad in order to remain on the true path of success. Dr. Hashem then underlined the discussion insisting that the Academy of Al-Azhar will continue to bind relations with scholarly Awliya’ who have committed their lives to serve the nation of Islam such as the Honorable Shiekh ^Adullah Al-Harrariy whom Dr. Hashem recognized as being “a symbol of knowledge and piety”.
Dr. Hashem and Dr. Salah rounded off their visit to Beirut with tours around the schools and other educational institutions of the AICP and visits to Presidential and Parliamentary Government officials. In addition Dr. Hashem was the honorary official to launch the opening of the Mosque of Al-Houda in Bshamoun Beirut at the opening ceremony.