Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb issued a statement on Thursday saying he welcomed investigations into charges that he had conspired against the 25 January revolution with “confidence, a smile and a firm belief in the power of truth.”
State-run newspaper Al-Ahram reported on Wednesday that prosecutors had begun investigating charges filed against Tayyeb and others by lawyer Ramadan Abdel Hamid Al-Oqsory. The plaintiff claimed that a document from the now-dissolved State Security Investigations Services (SSIS) would prove “the involvement of Tayyeb and other leaders of Al-Azhar in inciting [violence against] protesters and conspiracy against the 25 January revolution."
Oqsory alleged that Tayyeb and other Azhar leaders gave the SSIS the names of university professors who supported the demonstrations that erupted on 25 January 2011, and which led to the downfall of former President Hosni Mubarak.
In response, Al-Azhar issued a statement asserting that while the institution is tolerant against many insults, it would take legal action against anyone attempting to tarnish the image of the Grand Sheikh and other major Islamic figures.
The statement also noted that Al-Azhar was committed to the fight against corruption within the institution.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
