Khaberni - Al-Azhar in Egypt mourns the passing of Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar, and a professor of Hadith and its sciences at the Faculty of Theology, and the former president of Al-Azhar University, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday.
Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, along with leaders of Al-Azhar, scholars from Egypt and abroad, and students of the late Sheikh, performed the funeral prayer for the departed scholar, Ahmed Omar Hashem.
Al-Azhar stated in a declaration published on its official account on the platform "X," formerly Twitter: "Sheikh Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb mourns the noble scholar Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar, and a professor of Hadith and its sciences at the Faculty of Theology, and former president of Al-Azhar University, who passed away early on Tuesday, after a life filled with spreading knowledge and calling towards God Almighty."
The statement added: "Sheikh Al-Azhar affirms that the late nation's loss was a genuine Azhari scholar, one of the most prominent scholars of Hadith of our age, blessed by God with eloquence and sincerity in calling towards God, serving the Sunnah of His Prophet ﷺ, and disseminating knowledge, and his sermons, books, and lectures will remain a fresh source for students and researchers."
Sheikh Al-Azhar sincerely extends his deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the late scholar, his colleagues, his students, and all who admired him."
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also mourned the passing of Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem.
Sisi stated in a declaration published by the Egyptian Presidency’s official spokesperson on Facebook: "I received with deep sorrow and regret the news of the passing of the noble scholar and great preacher, Professor Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar and former president of Al-Azhar University, whose extensive life of dedication to religion and knowledge will endure through time."
The Egyptian President added: "May God have mercy on the noble scholar and grant him paradise. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to his family and all his students, from the nation and abroad."
Who is Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem
According to Al-Azhar's online portal, Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem was born on February 6, 1941, in Beni Amer village, Zagazig Center, Sharqia Governorate. He joined the Faculty of Theology at Al-Azhar University, graduating in 1961 and attaining his "Almazhar License" in 1967. His academic journey began as a teaching assistant in the Department of Hadith.
He earned a Master’s degree in Hadith Sciences in 1969 and a PhD in the same field. He was then promoted to the rank of professor in 1983, and became the dean of the Faculty of Theology in Zagazig in 1987 before being appointed as the president of Al-Azhar University in 1995, remaining in the position until 2003.
In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Hashem held prominent public positions including membership in the People's Assembly and Shura Council by appointment, and membership on the board of the Radio and Television Union, and chairing the Committee for Religious Programs on Egyptian Television. He also had a significant presence in international Islamic conferences, representing Egypt in various countries including Germany, the USA, Algeria, Morocco, and Kuwait.
He held numerous scholarly positions, notably his membership in the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar, the Islamic Research Complex, the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, and the Egyptian Writers Union, along with heading the General Center for International Muslim Youth Associations.
The late scholar received numerous medals and awards, including the State Appreciation Award in 1992, and the Medal of Sciences and Arts of the First Class. He supervised over two hundred master's and doctoral theses, and served as a visiting professor at universities in and outside of Egypt.
Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem left a rich academic legacy, comprising dozens of publications on the sciences of Hadith and the Prophetic Sunnah, including significant works like 'The Prophetic Sunnah and its Sciences', 'Principles of Hadith Sciences', 'Glimpses of Prophetic Hadith', 'Women in Islam', 'Ramadan and Fasting', 'The Isra and Mi'raj', among others, which enriched the Islamic library and contributed to the dissemination of Hadith sciences among generations.
