Egypt counters Turkey’s influence in Mali via Al-Azhar

Egypt seeks more influence in Mali through Al-Azhar, which is organizing a training program for a number of Malian imams in a bid to counter extremism.
Muslim worshippers head to prayer in the Badalabougou neighborhood of Bamako during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, Mali, July 20, 2021.
Muslim worshippers head to prayer in the Badalabougou neighborhood of Bamako during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, Mali, July 20, 2021. - Nicolas Remene/AFP via Getty Images
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George Mikhail
@Guirguisfekri1

As Egypt steps up its efforts to boost its influence in the African continent, Al-Azhar announced Aug. 2 a training course for 23 imams and preachers from Mali to fight radicalism.

Hassan al-Saghir, chairman of Al-Azhar International Academy said in a statement, “The goal behind the training course is to enable Malian imams to correct the misconceptions and wrong ideas about Islam and to counter extremism.”

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