Al-Azhar has received several requests from university professors and some members of the Islamic Research Complex to annul Qatar-based Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi's membership to the Al-Azhar Senior Scholars Authority.
They argue that Qaradawi has insulted Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb and the authority, an official source from Al-Azhar said on Tuesday.
Qaradawi, who is also the head of the World Union of Muslim Scholars, criticised Tayyeb on Al-Jazeera satellite channel and called on members of the Senior Scholar Authority and the Islamic Research Complex to have Tayyeb review his position on important issues. He also called on Al-Azhar scholars to rise to the defense of the oppressed and stop the massacres perpetrated against them, in a reference to the killing of pro-Morsy protesters in recent clashes with security.
Qaradawi recently issued a fatwa in which he said that supporting ousted President Mohamed Morsy was an obligation and called on Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to withdraw from the political scene in order to protect democracy.
He also said that Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb was wrong to support the rebellion against the legitimate president of the country, saying his stance is neither supported by the Quran nor by Prophetic tradition.
Ahmed Omar Hashem, a prominent member of the Senior Scholars Authority, called on Qaradawi to rethink his stance and revise his remarks, taking into account the blood spilled and lives lost.
The source added that the Senior Scholars Authority is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting over the coming days to discuss several issues, including current Islamic issues and the authority's position on them, MENA reported.
The source said that the authority will also look at ways to respond to Qaradawi's insult to Tayyeb.
Most of the members of the Senior Scholars Authority on Monday called for holding an urgent session to respond to Qaradawi.
Edited translation from MENA
