Al-Azhar controversy leads to curriculum updates
Al-Azhar curricula is being updated following accusations of extremism, which has caused controversy among religious thinkers and authorities.
CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the current Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, to discuss Al-Azhar’s efforts to counter extremism on May 27. Following the meeting, the Egyptian presidency issued a statement that same day that read, “President Sisi stresses the need for Al-Azhar to continue to play its role in straightening out the religious rhetoric and eliminating any misconception to fight terrorism and extremism.”
The statement also stipulated, “Tayeb discussed the steps that Al-Azhar has introduced to reform its educational curricula, and to keep them updated.”
The meeting between Tayeb and Sisi opened the door once more to the debate on Al-Azhar’s curricula and whether or not they are up to date for the current times, and whether they include materials that could promote radical ideas.
This is not something new. Egyptian pro-regime journalists have stated on many occasions that Al-Azhar’s curricula promotes terrorism.
