The Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) will strengthen bilateral relations with Al-Azhar University to enhance balanced dakwah efforts and improve its appreciation for societal harmony. Its chairman Datuk Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty said this matter would be brought to the Board of Directors' meeting for detailed discussion. "We plan to sign an MoU (memorandum of understanding) and MoA (memorandum of agreement) to take steps to strengthen and benefit from this relationship. "Insya-Allah, we will contact Al-Azhar soon, send an official letter, and we are prepared to make this visit (by Sheikh Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Prof Dr Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad At-Tayyeb) a historic one with follow-up actions," he told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Sheikh Al-Azhar at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur today. Muhammad Nur said the courtesy call provided an excellent platform to discuss current issues related to Islam. The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Sheikh Al-Azhar, whose rank is equival ent to that of a Prime Minister under the Egyptian Constitution, is on a special four-day visit to Malaysia until tomorrow. Source: BERNAMA News Agency