Public criticism of Al Azhar indicates rising tension with the regime

The Egyptian media’s “wave of highly unusual” criticism of Al Azhar is indicative of friction between the religious institution and the state, Heba Saleh writes for the Financial Times. “The tensions illustrate the complexity of the challenges facing the president as he tries to influence the religious sphere, while also fighting jihadis and cracking down on other opponents,” Saleh says, noting President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s repeated attempts to push Al Azhar to reform itself and religious discourse as a whole. El Sisi’s evident frustration with Al Azhar for “turning a deaf ear” has emboldened media figures and MPs alike, with one MP going so far as to propose a bill that would allow the president to sack the Grand Imam. On the flipside, some analysts say El Sisi’s best bet is to support freedom of expression and political freedoms, which will yield a more tolerant society.