By Sameh Fawzi On Monday 20 June, Ahmed El-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, released a "Statement of Al-Azhar and Elite Intellectuals on the Future of Egypt" at a press conference. The statement is the product of four intensive meetings held between prominent Al-Azhar professors and a group of intellectuals reflecting all political and cultural shades and religious affiliations. The statement has 11 articles covering the relationship between Islam and the state, the democratic system, development, good governance, education and scientific research, and the independence of Al-Azhar. El-Tayeb, who became grand imam on 19 March 2010, has said that Islam has only a state whose governance formula people choose according to their interests. Refusing to use the ambiguous term of "civil state", El-Tayeb underlined that post-Mubarak Egypt should have a constitutional democratic modern state. Based on the heritage of Egyptian jurisprudence, the statement affirmed that Islamic Sharia should remain the basic source of legislation, while non-Muslims enjoy the freedom to return to their code of laws in personal and marital matters. The committee that produced the statement is fully aware of challenges ahead in revolutionary Egypt. The polarisation between Islamists and secularists has increased, particularly over the relation between religion and state. The statement aims to exit the Islamic- secular divide. And those who fear the ascendance of Islamists may find comfort in it. Islamists cannot ignore it. El-Tayeb wants to unite Egyptians, believing that unity is a pre-requisite for modernisation. Over the last few months, Al-Azhar's grand imam has been visited by Muslim Brotherhood, Salafi and Coptic leaders. They all express their trust in him, his capabilities and tolerance in making a nation- based consensus between Egyptians. Egyptians who are currently exerting efforts to build institutions think there are two indispensable institutions: the army and Al-Azhar. The first protected the revolution, while the second is mapping the future. This week's Soapbox speaker is a political analyst.
