The rector of what is arguably the world’s oldest university, a bastion of Sunni scholarship with international influence, has come out in favour of a modern, democratic, constitutional Egyptian state, though there may be some trouble in the fine print.

Al-Azhar University speaks for vision of Egypt

Vision of Egypt

Ahmed el-Tayyeb, the grand sheik of Al-Azhar University in Cairo (founded by an Ismaili caliph in 975), together with his colleagues, denies that Islam permits a “priesthood state” – an implied criticism of Iran. Their document is not apolitical, however; it endorses the separation of powers and equal rights for all citizens.
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