In response to the growing rift between Ahmed al-Tayyeb, grand imam of the al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, and the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, 100 British imams and scholars, including alumni of the university, have signed a letter in support of the grand imam[1]. The letter acknowledges the grand imam’s role in “promoting the moderation of Islam” and “building bridges with other faith communities”[2].
The rift between the al-Azhar University and Sisi stretches back many years, but has become prominent recently after Tayyeb condemned Donald Trump’s decision to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Tayyeb subsequently cancelled his meeting with the Vice President of the USA, and both of these moves are said to have embarrassed Sisi[3]. The publishing of the letter came intentionally just days before Al-Azhar hosted the ‘Al Azhar International Conference in Support of Jerusalem’ at which the Palestinian president spoke[4]. The conference covered “issues such as affirming the rights of Palestinians to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, and preserving Christian and Muslim holy sites”. It is part of a calculated response to Trump’s declaration by Tayyeb[5].
Despite backing Sisi in his deposition of Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, Tayyeb has since had a tumultuous relationship with Sisi after the two clashed on a number of issues which would traditionally be under the remit of the al-Azhar University and Tayyeb commented on the state of austerity in the nation[6]. Despite its praise of Tayyeb, signatories of the British letter have denied that it was designed to express support with Tayyeb in this long battle with the Egyptian authorities, but that it is a support of his leadership in the face of the many challenges the Muslim community face
[7]There appears to have been little reaction to the issue from British Muslims. Mamnun Khan, an editor for Islamicate based in London[8] tweeted the letter was, “A curious letter of strategic positioning & religious identity politics … Al-Azhar’s historical influence is debatable versus: Bait al-Hikmah; Nazzamiya; Qaraqiyyin; Zaytuna”[9], but he does not elaborate on this statement and this is the only reaction to the issue that can be observed after a comprehensive search on Twitter.
[1] Thomas-Johnson, 2018; The World Association for al-Azhar Graduates, 2018.
[2] Thomas-Johnson, 2018; The World Association for al-Azhar Graduates, 2018.
[3] Thomas-Johnson, 2018.
[4] Thomas-Johnson, 2018; The World Association for al-Azhar Graduates, 2018; State Information Service, 2018.
[5] Thomas-Johnson, 2018.
[6] Thomas-Johnson, 2018.
[7] Thomas-Johnson, 2018; The World Association for al-Azhar Graduates, 2018.
[8] Khan, no date.
[9] Khan, 2018.
Sources
Khan, M. (2018a) (@DrMamnunKhan) ‘A curious letter of strategic positioning & religious identity politics @dawoodmasood786 @QariAsim. Al-Azhar’s historical influence is debatable versus: Bait al-Hikmah; Nazzamiya; Qarawiyyan; Zaytuna’. 15 January, 4:04 PM. Tweet.
Khan, M. (no date) ‘Mamnun Khan’. [online] https://twitter.com/DrMamnunKhan?lang=en. [Accessed 24 January 2018].
State Information Service. (2018) ‘Al Azhar International Conference in Support of Al Quds (Jerusalem)’. [online] 16 January. http://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/123197?lang=en-us. [Accessed 24 January 2018].
The World Association for al-Azhar Graduates. (2018) ‘100 British Imams and scholars write letter of support for the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar’. [online] 15 January. http://azhargraduates.org/(S(45di4njaewdgi5qhbeizt3dh))/en/news_archive1.aspx?id=5096. [Accessed 24 January 2018].
Thomas-Johnson, A. (2018) ‘UK imams back leading Egyptian cleric amid rift with Sisi’. [online] 15 January. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-imams-back-leading-egyptian-cleric-amid-government-rift-1705568385. [Accessed 24 January 2018].
