Will Egypt put term limits on Al-Azhar grand imam?
Proposals to amend Al-Azhar University's internal regulations are angering senior scholars who might be replaced if the plans are approved.
CAIRO — New sources of friction keep heating up the conflict between Al-Azhar University and those outside the school seeking to influence the way it's run.
Yasser Kouraa, assistant to the Wafd Party’s head of political and parliamentary affairs, recently suggested amending the university's internal regulations. His proposals would affect the way senior scholars — including Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb — are selected and dismissed, in the name of renewing religious discourse. The proposals have sparked debate and angered Al-Azhar scholars, who see it as an attempt to undermine their roles.
Kouraa said that's not the case.
“The proposal to amend Al-Azhar internal regulations does not downplay the importance of the institution. No one dares offend an institution like Al-Azhar, and I highly appreciate and respect Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb," Kouraa told Al-Monitor.
