Al-Azhar has distanced itself from statements made by a Sheikh claiming to be a member of the Azhar Fatwa Committee legitimising the killing of protestors who criticise the Government.
Al-Azhar Sheikh Hashem Islam told a seminar coordinated by the Egyptian Diplomatic Club on Tuesday that Egyptians participating in planned protests on 24 August are “infidels for Allah, his prophets and the state” and “going against the 25 January revolution.” Representing himself as a member of the Azhar Fatwa Committee and a member of the Islamic research compound, he urged Muslims to fight all those who participate in the August 24 revolution and kill them if necessary.
However the Islamic research compound of Al-Azhar on Thursday said Sheikh Islam is not member of the Azhar Fatwa Committee, nor is he a member of the Islamic research compound, but is merely a preacher in the Daqahleya governorate.
“He doesn’t represent Al-Azhar at all,” Dr Mahmoud Azab, head of the religious dialogue committee at Al-Azhar told the Daily News Egypt.
In an official stament via state-run MENA news agency, the Islamic research compound added that Sheikh Islam has been referred for investigation several time for defying his job description and misrepresenting Al-Azhar. The Islamic research compound stated that Sheikh Islam will be further investigated for his latest statements, according to Al-Arabeya.
The Marsa Matrouh branch of April 6, Democratic Front, released a statement on its Facebook page Wednesday stating its commitment to freedom of expression for all Egyptian citizens which, in turn, forced it to condemn Sheikh Islam’s statements.
“We consider those statements Sheikh Islam’s personal opinion and that they do not represent Al-Azhar,” the statement read, adding that Sheikh Islam must be held accountable for statements which could trigger a “civil war”.
Sheikh Islam had said that Egyptians made a deal with Morsy when they elected him and to oppose him now would be religiously wrong. “Fight those who go against the president,” he told the seminar. “If they kill you, then you shall go to heaven. And if you kill them, then their blood goes in vain since you won’t be punished for it.”
