By Manal El Warraky
The Egyptian-Azerbaijani Peoples’ Friendship Academy celebrated the presentation of certificates and gifts to 70 children who memorized parts of the Holy Quran and the text of “Tuhfat al-Atfal.”
The ceremony began with a speech by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian-Azerbaijani Friendship Association, Dr. Seymour Nasirov, who emphasized that education is a right for all, and that if we want to advance, we must care about educating children because they are our future.
Therefore, we pay special attention to their education. There is no doubt that reading and writing are two essential skills that must be taught to children at an early age. Based on this principle, the Egyptian-Azerbaijani Peoples’ Friendship Academy began its first session teaching children the basics of reading and writing for low-income Egyptian families seeking to develop their children’s linguistic skills. The Academy plays an active role in teaching children reading, writing, the Holy Quran, Arabic calligraphy, vocal styles, and even handicrafts such as hand-woven carpets.
The total number of children studying with us in various activities is 175. Every day, the number of people wishing to join the academy’s various activities increases, and we have a long waiting list.
Dr. Seymour announced that the association’s board of directors has decided to establish a new project affiliated with the association, called the “Egyptian-Azerbaijani Academy of Friendship Among Peoples.” The project aims to offer certificates and degrees in various sciences and arts in the name of the academy, following the expansion of the association’s projects. His Excellency emphasized that the association plays an effective role in strengthening the bonds of friendship between peoples in general, and between Egypt and Azerbaijan in particular, through its various free activities. For your information, “friendship among peoples” is one of the association’s broad guidelines.
It is worth noting that the Egyptian-Azerbaijani Academy of Friendship Among Peoples serves more than 642 students of 59 different nationalities, studying various sciences and arts. Most of them are Egyptian students from several governorates. The academy’s main subjects include the Holy Quran with its recitation and the ten consecutive readings, the minor and major, with a continuous chain of transmission going back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the text of Al-Jazariyyah, and the text of Tuhfat al-Atfal. It also teaches the basics of reading and writing, as well as Arabic language sciences, including grammar, morphology, rhetoric, and logic. In addition to a few other languages, such as Azerbaijani and English, students are taught to read, write, speak, and listen to the language.
Among the arts, Arabic calligraphy in its various forms throughout the ages, the art of ornamentation in both its vegetal and geometric forms, as well as the art of hand-woven carpets and vocal maqams are taught completely free of charge.
Dr. Seymour emphasized that the association’s family considers serving students of knowledge and science and Egyptian society a great honor, and is constantly striving to expand its projects.
