Skip to main content

Al-Azhar imposters prompt calls to regulate uniform

In response to unauthorized Egyptian clerics issuing radical fatwas while dressed in the traditional Al-Azhar uniform, a parliamentary committee is considering steps to ban non-affiliates from wearing the religious institute’s identifiable dress.
GettyImages-459873858.jpg
Read in 

CAIRO — Amr Hamroush, a member of the Egyptian parliament's Religious Committee, has been calling for action to prevent non-Azharites​ from wearing the distinctive dress of Al-Azhar, a restriction already observed for military and police uniforms. In press statements Dec. 2, several parliament members announced that Hamroush has prepared a bill that is under discussion within the Religious Committee.

The committee's deliberations may lead to the amendment of Law No. 51 of 2014, more strictly enforcing this law as it stands or passing the new law proposed by Hamroush. Possible amendments may include clearly defining the characteristics of Al-Azhar dress, widening the scope of the law to include the dress of Christian religious authorities and increasing the penalties for violations.

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.