MoARA delegation studies Al Azhar model to promote positive parenting

MUSCAT: A delegation from the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MoARA) visited Egypt to study Al Azhar Al Sharif’s approach to strengthening the role of religious leaders in promoting positive parenting, in a move aimed at supporting child and family well-being in Oman.
Organised by Unicef Oman in partnership with Unicef Egypt, the study tour took place from December 21 to 23, 2025, in collaboration with the International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research, led by Prof Dr Gamal Abou El Sourour.
The visit focused on Al Azhar’s accredited training model, which integrates positive parenting principles into religious discourse. The approach draws on the long-standing influence of religious institutions in fostering nurturing family environments and reinforcing shared social and moral values.
Participants took part in an intensive training programme covering key themes, including the role of fathers in child-rearing and their partnership with mothers, the importance of the first 1,000 days in a child’s life, and the long-term impact of early experiences on children’s physical and psychological development.
The programme also addressed constructive family communication, practical skills for positive engagement with children, and effective methods for enabling male and female religious leaders to advocate positive parenting within their communities.
Dr Farida al Sharji, former director of the Women’s Guidance Department, MoARA, said the visit reflects the ministry’s commitment to building the capacities of Omani religious leaders in the field of positive parenting.
“We are keen to learn from successful experiences such as that of Al Azhar Al Sharif and to translate these insights into practice in ways that support Omani families, nurture children’s skills, enhance their well-being, and reinforce the values of constructive communication and social cohesion,” she said.
The delegation also held high-level meetings with Prof Dr Ahmed al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar; Prof Dr Mohamed Abdel Rahman al Duweini, Deputy of Al Azhar; and Dr Nazir Mohamed Ayyad, Grand Mufti of Egypt. Discussions highlighted Egypt’s experience in preparing and qualifying religious leaders, integrating positive parenting concepts into religious and social messaging, and applying best practices to strengthen their role in supporting families and communities.
The visit marks the first step in the ministry’s efforts to embed positive parenting principles into its engagement with Omani communities, drawing on leading regional experiences to support children’s psychological and social development from an early age.
Facilitated by Unicef, the knowledge exchange — described as the first of its kind between Oman and Egypt — is expected to contribute to the development of training programmes and educational tools that promote safe and nurturing child-rearing practices. The ministry and Unicef will continue working together to apply these best practices, strengthen child and family well-being, and reinforce values of empathy, tolerance and constructive dialogue within Omani society.
The Omani delegation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding positive parenting initiatives and developing practical resources for families and caregivers, supporting the healthy development of future generations.