Skip to main content

Visit by Egyptian Cleric to Gaza Divides Palestinian Leaders

The visit to Gaza of Yusuf al-Qaradawi, head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, won praise from Hamas, but received strong criticism from Fatah, which accused the cleric of undermining Palestinian unity.
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (L) holds the hand of Egyptian Cleric and chairman of the International Union of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi (R) upon al-Qaradawi's arrival at Rafah Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip May 8, 2013. Al-Qaradawi arrived on Wednesday for a three-day visit to Gaza Strip with a delegation of Muslim scholars. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) - RTXZFCT

Senior Muslim cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi has wrapped up his three-day Gaza Strip visit, which has drawn mixed reactions from Palestinian circles. It was the first visit by the head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars to the Hamas-run coastal enclave.

Qaradawi, 86, is Egyptian-born with Qatari citizenship and has become a highly controversial figure in the region since the Arab Spring swept the Middle East in 2011, when he backed protesters against their regimes and even legitimized Western interference. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.