Al Azhar University replaces president

Shakeup at Al Azhar: Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb sacked Al Azhar University President Ahmed Hosny after the latter called controversial Islamic researcher Islam El Beheiry an apostate. El Beheiry, who advocates a ‘modern’ take on many questions of Islamic jurisprudence, rose to fame via a popular night-time talk show, but was drummed off the air after a campaign by Al Azhar and other critics. He was eventually sentenced to a year in prison for the offense of “contempt of religion.” El Tayeb named Mohamed Hussein Al Mahrsawy as acting president. Hosny has since apologized for his comments.