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Special Dispatch No. 3767—Egypt
Coptic Liberal Magdi Khalil: Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Is Setting the
Country Back to the Middle Ages
In an April 2, 2011 column in the Egyptian daily Al-Dustour, Coptic liberal Magdi Khalil claimed that Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces does not recognize the legitimacy of the current revolution, but rather that of the 1952 revolution and the 1971 constitution. He added that the current temporary constitution that was recently declared, as well as the political party law and the protest ban, are a direct continuation of the Mubarak era, and do not represent the longed-for changes. Khalil said that the revolution was intended to rebuild Egypt as a modern country, but that what is happening now is setting it back to the Middle Ages, and transforming Egypt into a failed religious state.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5206.htm.
he following is research published today from MEMRI’s Special Dispatch Series and the MEMRI TV Project.
Inquiry & Analysis No. 684—Egypt
In Egypt, Protests and Demands for Change Reach Al-Azhar
By: L. Azuri*
The domestic protests and demands for reform and change in post-revolutionary Egypt have not missed Al-Azhar University, which is considered the most important educational institution and religious authority in the Sunni Muslim world. Elements within the institution – ulema, imams, and officials – are demonstrating to protest against Al-Azhar's backing of the Mubarak regime, demanding reforms that will ensure Al-Azhar's independence from the regime and freedom from corruption, so that it can regain its former place of honor in Egyptian society and in the Muslim world.
Another complaint voiced by the Egyptian public against Al-Azhar is that the institution has not been fulfilling its role as a guide for the people in the difficult revolutionary and post-revolutionary period, abandoning the field to radical Islamic elements. Some Salafis have sought to ride the wave of criticism against Al-Azhar, demanding the establishment of an ulema council drawing from all Islamic streams that will advise Al-Azhar in its religious decision-making.
In response to this protest, Al-Azhar Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb initiated contacts with Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf over amending the Al-Azhar Law so that it would assure the institution's development and independence. A committee was formed to draft the bill, headed by jurist Tareq Al-Bishri. In a gesture aimed at supporting the fragile Egyptian economy, Al-Tayyeb has donated to the Egyptian treasury all the income he has earned at Al-Azhar since assuming his post.
On the other hand, Al-Tayyeb dismissed the criticism of the institution's actions during the anti-Mubarak demonstrations in the early days of the revolution, and to date has not responded to the protestors' demands for his resignation so a new sheikh could be elected, rather than being appointed by the president, as had traditionally been the case under Mubarak.
The question of what reforms Al-Azhar will undergo and who will lead them depends on how much the protestors can pressure the military rule and the religious establishments, and the extent to which these will be able to withstand this pressure, using the rationale that replacing Al-Tayyeb will create a vacuum and thus facilitate the rise of political Islam. This rationale plays on the recent fears in Egyptian society vis-à-vis the increasingly louder voices of the Islamic and Salafi streams.
The Muslim Brotherhood has prominently defended Al-Tayyeb. With an eye to gaining legitimacy and appearing to be moderate, and to reassuring the public's apprehensions about it, the movement has expressed support for transforming Al-Azhar into an independent body with global influence – but with Al-Tayyeb as the reformist. Al-Tayyeb is also supported by a stream within Al-Azhar, which wants him to remain in his post.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5205.htm.
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