On the occasion of the 1085th anniversary of the founding of Al-Azhar Mosque, Damietta University hosted today, Thursday, March 6, 2025, headed by Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie Al-Metwaly, President of the University, the ceremony organized by the Al-Azhar Region in Damietta, in the presence of Professor Dr. Ayman Al-Shehaby, Governor of Damietta, and Professor Dr. Osama Al-Abd, Advisor to the World Organization for Graduates of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif ,Brigadier General Mohamed Khalifa, Military Advisor to the Governorate, His Eminence Sheikh Essam Hassouna, Head of the Central Administration of Damietta Institutes, Sheikh Ashraf Al-Mawafy, Director of the Damietta Preaching Region Administration, and Professor Dr. Mohamad Shady, Vice Dean of the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies, Reverend Father Serapamon Metry, Bishop of Damietta and Assistant General Secretary of the Family House in Damietta, Bishop Hisham Bandalmon, Pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church, Representative Evelyn Matta, Representative Hanaa Farouk, members of the House of Representatives, the Vice Presidents of the University, and the Deans and Vice Deans of the Faculties of Damietta and Al-Azhar Universities. In his welcoming address, Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie Al-Metwaly, President of the University, welcomed the attendees of prominent leaders to Damietta University and congratulated them on the occasion of the celebration. The university president praised the role of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in spreading knowledge and science throughout the ages, noting that the university will always support Al-Azhar’s values ??in building a moderate and tolerant society. Then, Professor Dr. Osama Al-Abd, Advisor to the World Organization of Al-Azhar Graduates, spoke about Al-Azhar’s efforts in spreading the principles of human brotherhood worldwide, and said: “Al-Azhar Al-Sharif is the platform of national leadership for Egypt, and Egypt was and still is the destination of education, and Al-Azhar represents the conscience of the Islamic nation,” and he stressed Al-Azhar’s role in promoting coexistence between different religions and spreading the values ??of peace through its various missions. Al-Abd also expressed his appreciation for the men of the Egyptian Church, and praised Al-Azhar’s cooperation with the Church through the “Family House,” which contributes to strengthening brotherhood among the sons of one nation. For his part, Professor Dr. Ayman Al-Shhaby, Governor of Damietta, congratulated the attendees on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, extending his congratulations to the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb on this special celebration. The Governor of Damietta added that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif was and still is a beacon of moderate thought and spreading the values ??of tolerance and peace in various parts of the world. Then, Professor Dr. Osama Al-Abd presented an honorary award to the Governor of Damietta, the President of the University, and the Military Advisor, in appreciation of their efforts in supporting the values ??of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. The ceremony included a cultural segment, in which student Mustafa Shalaby gave a speech in English about Al-Azhar’s role in spreading the values ??of moderate Islam and peace, while student Jumana Mohamad presented a poem that embodied the values ??of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. Student Taim Mohamad Al-Shawy and student Iman Wagih also presented two odes about Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. At the end of the ceremony, Professor Dr. Ismail Abd Al Rahman, Head of the Damietta Branch of the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates, spoke about the great role played by Al-Azhar’s corridors in spreading Islamic and Arabic sciences, as their number reached 2,100 branches across the country, which reflects Al-Azhar’s role in meeting the needs of society to spread moderation and guide youth towards the correct understanding of Islam. Sheikh Mohamad Al-Sayed Al-Harigy, the host of the ceremony, concluded by thanking all participants and contributors to organizing this celebration, stressing that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif is always remain a scientific and intellectual beacon in spreading moderate Islam and peaceful coexistence among all segments of society.