Journalists & Media: Sheikh al-Guindy: Azhar University to Launch Satellite Channel

Egypt's seat of Islamic learning, al-Azhar University, will launch a satellite channel it claims will give the world a better understanding of Islam and counter some Islamic outlets preaching "extremist dialogue".

Sheikh Khaled Al-Guindy, a scholar at al-Azhar mosque and university, said the new channel would reach out to the world's Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
The channel will broadcast 75 percent of its output in Arabic, with the rest initially in English and French. Other languages will be added next year.

Al-Azhar, one of the oldest institutions in Sunni Islam, is headed by Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, who is selected by Egypt's president. The institution receives most of its funding from the Egyptian state.

"In the Age of Obama we realized it was time to look at new ways to deliver our message," Guindy said, four days before U.S. President Barack Obama visits Egypt to address the Muslim world.
"We cannot have a conversation with ourselves. We will include politicians, actors, thinkers, writers and all religions in our dialogue," he told Reuters in an interview.

The launch is planned for the start of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and religious reflection, that begins in mid- August.

The channel, to be called Azhari, has received initial funding of 15 million Egyptian pounds ($2.7 million) from Libyan businessman Hassan Tatanaki, who estimated annual operating expenses at around $2.5 million.

"Associating with al-Azhar is the ultimate in the sense of promoting the proper interpretation of the religion," Tatanaki said.


source: http://libyanhassantatanaki.blogspot.com/2014/08/journalists-media-sheikh-al-guindy.html

This election was about change, and we hope this includes a change in how the world sees Africa, said Libya's Hassan Tatanaki

                  Obama's African Roots on Center Stage at Pan-Africa

Inaugural Ball

Sarah Obama, Robert De Niro, Rev. Desmond Tutu to Help Boost Africa's New

Special Relationship

Much was made during the campaign about President Barack Obama's African
heritage. His roots will be definitely showing at the pan-Africa ball, where African
political leaders, NGOs, and activists will be turning up en masse to show their
support for America's first African-American President, and to symbolize the
special new relationship the continent shares with America. Among the special
guests who will welcome the new President: the President-elect's Kenyan
Grandmother Sarah Obama, actor Robert DeNiro, Nobel Peace Prize winners
Reverend Desmond Tutu and Wangari Maathai.

"This election was about change, and we hope this includes a change in how the
world sees Africa," said Libya's Hassan Tatanaki, Chairman of the Tatanaki
Foundation and one of the event's sponsors. "Africa is more than famine and
poverty and war. It is a place of beauty and history and culture as well. We are
grateful for the humanitarian commitment of previous Presidents to Africa, but we
feel Africa now has a personal connection to America, at the highest level."

To secure interviews, exclusive photos and b-roll, please contact Ethan Wagner:
1-646-673-2469 or ethanw@brownlloydjames.com

WHAT: "Africa on the Potomac," the 2009 Pan- Africa
Inaugural Ball

WHERE: 1 700 Jefferson Davis
WHEN: 6:00pm, Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (Inauguration Day)

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