"First, make the clocks": the rector of Al-Azhar on the main challenge for Islamic education in Russia
Assalamu alaikum. The rector of Al-Azhar University, Dr. Salama Dawood, gave a lecture online to the students of the Bulgarian Islamic Academy about the key issues and nuances of modern Islamic education. This meeting became possible after the memorandum of understanding was signed in August between the BIA and Al-Azhar; as a result, a roadmap was prepared for joint work on promoting and strengthening Islamic learning.
Dr. Salama Dawood started off with an important thought: knowledge is the foundation for the revival of the ummah. He pointed out that the true strength of any nation is defined not only by consumption but also by the ability to produce new knowledge.
“In the history of Islamic civilization, a scholar was one who brought something new - original thought or independent research. Imitation and intellectual stagnation do not lead to revival, while those who create knowledge become the builders of civilization,” the rector emphasized.
Two central points of his lecture: the enduring importance of science for the development of the ummah and the main challenges that Islamic education faces today. Speaking about the classical tradition of knowledge, he reminded that it has always valued independent thinking and creative search, rather than rote memorization.
To illustrate his point, the rector shared a funny and instructive story: when a student asked the sheikh which hand to wear his watch on - the right or the left, he replied: “First make the watch, and then wear it wherever you want.” The essence is that the main thing is to create and think, not to get stuck on external details.
He then delved into the pressing problems of Islamic education: the widespread imitation, lack of innovation, weak position in creating new scientific knowledge, and flaws in the curriculum. A particular concern is the reduction of live mentorship and the tendency to make religious judgments without adequate preparation. Another serious challenge is the insufficient adaptation of education to rapid technological changes.
“If you only pass on known facts without deep understanding, critical thinking is lost. In the past, students spent years alongside scholars and learned through personal interaction. Today, sometimes the training lasts only a few hours, which is not enough to develop a researcher,” noted the rector.
In response to these challenges, two new faculties dedicated to artificial intelligence have been opened at Al-Azhar. Their task is to prepare specialists who can not only work with modern technologies but also analyze new phenomena from the perspective of sharia.
In conclusion, Dr. Salama Dawood addressed the students and young scholars with simple recommendations: read more, develop analytical and critical thinking skills, actively engage in scientific inquiry, and view classical questions in light of modern realities.
“Islamic education carries a historical mission - to nurture a generation capable of intellectual renewal and scientific creativity. Loyalty to tradition does not equal stagnation, and preserving heritage does not hinder openness to the world,” the rector summed up.
BarakAllahu fikum.
https://islamnews.ru/2025/10/2