Tariq Ahmed Osman

Among the famous scholars who received their education at Al-Azhar in a later period was Al-Sharif Muhammad Al-Amin Al-Hindi, father of Al-Sharif Yusuf Al-Hindi, founder of [a school] in Sudan. Muhammad Al-Amin Al-Hindi returned after his studies in Al-Azhar Al-Sharif to the area of (Nuwara) on the Rahad, where students came from all directions to study the science of Tajweed and Qira'at. Al-Sharif Muhammad Al-Amin Al-Hindi passed away in the year [year].

Among these was also Sheikh Al-Bashir Wad Ne'ma, who graduated from Al-Azhar and studied [subject]. Al-Afghani was a colleague of Sheikh Muhammad Abduh and excelled in philosophy. He then returned to [place] to establish a school in Rufa'a for teaching students, but it was closed during the Mahdist [period].

Among them also was Sheikh Ahmed Al-Azhari, son of Sayyid Ismail Al-Wali. He spent twelve years at Al-Azhar as a student and teacher, then returned to Kordofan to [teach] religion. He strongly opposed the Mahdist revolution, unlike his elder brother Al-Makki. The Egyptian government appointed him a judge and mufti in western [region], but he was soon killed in a battle against the Ansar of the Mahdi.

Among them also was Sheikh Muhammad Ahmed Al-Badawi, who resided as a neighbor at Al-Azhar for [number] years. He also worked as a teacher at Al-Azhar for eight years. He passed away and was buried in [place].

Also, Abdulrahman bin Ahmed Al-Badawi, who married an Egyptian woman and returned after [event] in the year [year].

Al-Azhar constituted a unique phenomenon for the Sudanese intellect. The Sudanese mind is overflowing with a sense of the importance of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and its vital role in educating the nation, guiding it, reforming it, and directing the Muslim community. The Sudanese nation has elevated the status of Al-Azhar and given it a blessed position and a sanctuary for memorizers of the Quran. Al-Azhar, during important periods of Sudan's history, was able to form a significant presence that influenced the nature of Islam and its existence in this country. Therefore, Islam remained in the [region] with Egyptian Islamic culture, and just as the Sufi orders were established and their status was magnified, so too was the case in Sudan. Although the streams that nourished Islam were not solely coming from Egypt, there were also the Hijaz and the Maghreb, which are two important streams in Sudan, and their impact is greater than the Egyptian impact, especially in the pre-[period].