Middle East Focus: al-Azhar Outside the Box: Imam Ahmed the Nice vs. King Not-So-Nice..........

Arabia Deserta

al-Azhar Outside the Box: Imam Ahmed the Nice vs. King Not-So-Nice..........

Rattlesnake Ridge

BFF

“The handover of power from the military must happen “on schedule and without delay” and the current trials of former regime officials must be accelerated, said Al-Azhar at a meeting hosted by the Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb, on Wednesday. The statement comes as a conclusion to a national dialogue conference run by Al-Azhar, the leading Sunni authority in the Muslim world, aimed at bringing key political and religious figures together to discuss “regaining the spirit of the revolution and completing its goals.” The concluding statement emphasised the importance of the army "returning to its original role of protecting Egypt's borders and national security" and prioritising the state’s responsibility to tend to the needs and rights of the martyrs' families and the injured protesters. The statement also called for national unity without "elimination or bias" from any of its national forces…………..”

Interesting new stance by the al-Azhar that normally does the bidding of the Egyptian government that happens to be in power. Since the president of Egypt appoints the Shaikh (Imam) of al-Azhar. Mr. Ahmed El-Tayeb (Ahmed the Good or Nice) was a functionary in the NDP ruling party of Hosni Mubarak until 2009, when the dictator appointed him to the Azhar and he had to take off his civilian suit and tie and wear a clerical garb. They were opposed to the January 25 uprising until the dictator fell. Now they see an opportunity, with the Muslim brotherhood and the Salafis about to control the new parliament and the government of Egypt. Maybe it is just the fact that revolutionary times have strange effects on people: they often make them think 'outside the box', outside the cage.

(About this claim up there that al-Azhar is "the leading Sunni authority in the Muslim world": I thought the Saudis believed their Salafi king, Servant of the Two Holy Shrines, was the greatest Sunni authority. At least on account of his having access to much more money and more wives, even if he has access to much less knowledge and intellect).
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com