Goals do come by, however for 25-year-old Mamadou Safayou Barry, he needed to embark on a difficult 4,000km (2,500 miles) bicycle journey throughout West Africa with the aim of securing a spot at his dream college, Egypt’s prestigious Al-Azhar.
His journey began from Guinea in Might with the hope of gaining admission at Egypt’s Al-Azhar, nevertheless, this expedition was plagued with encounters with Islamist militants and political upheavals. Alongside the best way, he confronted arrests and excessive warmth, which examined his dedication to pursuing his academic aspirations at Al-Azhar College.
He defined that despite the fact that he couldn’t afford each an Islamic research course and airfare to Egypt, he was keen to make the epic journey by Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Niger, and Chad as a result of college’s esteemed popularity, in response to the BBC.
Barry indicated that he was extraordinarily completely satisfied when he was awarded a scholarship for his research at Al-Azhar College upon reaching Cairo. Al-Azhar College is among the oldest Islamic establishments of upper studying established in AD670. It stands as a globally important establishment for Sunni Islamic training.
The distinguished place of the college was the driving power behind the dangerous journey the Guinean father launched into from dwelling in pursuit of Islamic information. However, it was marked by suspicion and challenges in a number of international locations alongside the best way. He confronted formidable challenges whereas traversing Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the place frequent assaults by Islamist militants on civilians and up to date political coups have created an environment of great instability.
He described the journey by these nations as exceptionally tough as a result of lack of safety within the area. Throughout his journey by Mali and Burkina Faso, Barry encountered a area marred by quite a few issues and fearful inhabitants. He described being handled with suspicion by locals and infrequently witnessing a powerful army presence armed with heavy weaponry and autos.
He added that he confronted unjust arrests and detentions 3 times, with two cases occurring in Burkina Faso and one in Togo. His fortunes modified for the higher when he arrived in Chad after a journalist interviewed him about his expertise. This led to his story being shared on-line, and beneficiant people funded a flight for him to Egypt, sparing him from biking by Sudan’s war-torn areas.
On September 5, he reached Cairo, the place his unwavering willpower earned him a gathering with Dr. Nahla Elseidy, the Dean of Islamic Research at Al-Azhar. Following their dialog, Dr. Elseidy prolonged a full scholarship to Barry, granting him a spot in Al-Azhar’s Islamic Research course.
