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Will Christians soon be enrolling at Egypt's Al-Azhar?

The proposal to affiliate nonreligious faculties at Al-Azhar University with the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education goes beyond allowing the enrollment of Christian students.
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Although Articles 6 and 33 of the Egyptian Constitution provide equal opportunities to all, including the access to education, the call to ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities in some institutions has sparked unexpected debate.

On March 6, parliament member Mohamed Abu Hamed announced his intention to submit to parliament a proposal amending Law No. 103 of 1961, which regulates Al-Azhar affairs. The proposal is designed to affiliate nonreligious faculties at Al-Azhar University — such as the faculties of medicine, engineering, media and communications — with the Ministry of Higher Education instead of Al-Azhar institution, which would subsequently allow Christian students to enroll in these faculties.

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