GEORGE TOWN, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) will establish the "Endowment Chair Professor Al-Azhar" in the field of Syariah to facilitate research collaboration on ‘fiqh’ (jurisprudence) and Syariah-related issues that have significant implications for society and the Muslim community in Penang and Malaysia as a whole.
MAINPP president Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the "Endowment Chair Professor Al-Azhar" will deliver lectures based on research findings in collaboration with MAINPP and the Penang Mufti Department, as part of the annual Al-Azhar University - MAINPP event in Penang.
"Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and I, along with a state government delegation, are currently on an official working visit to Cairo, Egypt, where we met with the president and rector of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof Dr Salama Gomaa Daoud.
"During our discussion yesterday, Tun Ahmad Fuzi and I expressed Penang’s interest, through MAINPP, in expanding and strengthening collaboration between Penang and Al-Azhar University," he said in a statement today.
He said the discussion also covered three key initiatives that Penang aimed to implement with Al-Azhar University, including establishing the "Endowment Chair Professor Al-Azhar" in the field of Syariah and collaborating with MAINPP to offer a hybrid Al-Azhar Bachelor’s Degree programme at Kolej Islam Teknologi Antarabangsa (KITAB) in Penang.
Mohamad, who is also Deputy Chief Minister I, said the degree programme involves Islamic Studies, covering Syariah, Usuluddin, and Arabic, in a 2+2 format, where students study online for two years and complete the remaining two years physically at Al-Azhar University.
He said the initiative demonstrated Penang’s commitment to digitalising education under the Islamic Religious Development Agenda 2030 (APAI2030), in line with the state’s smart policy under the Penang2030 Vision.
"The third initiative discussed was a collaboration to strengthen Arabic language education by establishing Penang as a hub for Arabic studies through a Sub-MoU between Al-Azhar University and Malaysia for Penang.
"This will enhance and reinforce the Arabic language proficiency of KITAB Penang students and other Penang students planning to further their studies in the Middle East," he added.
-- BERNAMA
