President of Mansoura University receives the Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt within the symposium on the role of religion in building the human being

Mansoura University hosted Dr. Nazir Muhammad Ayyad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Head of the General Secretariat of Fatwa Authorities and Institutions in the World on February 25, 2025, where he was received by Prof. Cherif Youssef Khater, President of Mansoura University, in the presence of Prof. Muhammad Attia Al-Bayoumi, Vice President of the University for Education and Student Affairs.

This came within the framework of the symposium "The Role of Religion in Building the Human Being", as part of the activities of the presidential initiative "A New Beginning for Building the Human Being", which was held in the Faculty of Law, in the presence of Prof. Walid Al-Shennawy, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Tamer Saleh, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Education and Student Affairs, deans and vice deans of faculties, faculty members, journalists and media professionals, and a large number of students of the university, and representatives of student unions and families.

Prof. Cherif Khater welcomed the Grand Mufti Dr. Nazir Ayyad to Mansoura University, stressing that his visit for the second time in a month is a great honor for the university and all its members. He pointed out the university's keenness to hold this symposium on the role of religion in building the human being in the presence of the Mufti, which came within the framework of the activities of the presidential initiative to start building the Egyptian human being through investing in human capital in order to achieve sustainable development in its comprehensive concept. He also discussed the endeavor of Mansoura University through the educational process and through holding a series of scientific and cultural symposia, as well as improving the education system and raising the levels of teaching, while taking into account religious and cultural values, to graduate students capable of competing locally and internationally, pointing out the interest in instilling the values of tolerance and cooperation among its students, and working to illuminate their path in various scientific, intellectual and cultural fields.

The university president pointed out the pivotal role of the Egyptian Dar Al Iftaa in spreading moderation and tolerance, and its efforts to establish these principles through the initiatives adopted by the state to build an aware, civilized and tolerant generation.

Prof. Walid Al-Shinawi explained that the purpose of building a human being is to educate, form and prepare him to be a normal human being, worshipping God by will and choice, knowing his duties and able to perform them with perfection and excellence. This is a general religious purpose that faith, worship, ethics and all the various provisions of Sharia seek to achieve. He pointed out that the Faculty of Law is honored to emphasize - in addition to its scientific and research role - its social role in awareness, by inviting it to hold this symposium.

Prof. Tamer Saleh said that man is in dire need of religion to control his behavior, organize his transactions and relationships, which is what our country has sought to achieve through national initiatives, the latest of which was the "Beginning" initiative to build the Egyptian person, to create a path for the Egyptian citizen towards development and prosperity, reform and construction in various fields and all aspects, and qualify young people to express themselves, and support their participation in political life, in addition to combating extremist thought and misconceptions, strengthening belonging, and achieving cultural justice within society, stressing that Mansoura University, headed by Prof. Cherif Khater, is one of the active institutions in implementing the objectives of this initiative.

At the beginning of his speech, His Eminence the Mufti thanked Prof. Cherif Khater, President of the University, for the warm reception, expressing his great pleasure with this meeting, then he began to shed light on the focus of the lecture, which is "building the person", stressing that this building is a central value in Islam. He explained that the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet have established comprehensive educational foundations that aim to build the individual and society on strong and stable foundations.

Dr. Nazir Ayyad pointed out that building a person in Islam is done on three main levels: doctrinal preparation, spiritual preparation, and behavioral preparation. He explained that doctrinal preparation is represented in building a person's relationship with his Creator through correct faith and monotheism, while spiritual preparation focuses on purifying the soul through worship and drawing closer to Allah. As for behavioral preparation, it is related to the moral values that guide a person's behavior in society. He added that the solutions to all the problems facing our societies lie in re-instilling the authentic Islamic values that call for cooperation, tolerance, and good citizenship. He also discussed the importance of spiritual education and balance in a person's relationship with his Lord, warning against attempts to uproot a person from his religious and legal roots.

The Mufti explained that worship strengthens the relationship between a person and his Lord, and gives him psychological and spiritual balance.

At the end of the meeting, a discussion and dialogue were held with the students and to answer their various questions. Prof. Cherif Khater also presented Mansoura University shield to Dr. Nazir Ayyad, the Grand Mufti of the Republic, in appreciation of his distinguished role and efforts in developing the Egyptian Dar Al Iftaa.