Al-Azhar is currently working on a new document that will address the revolts in the Arab world and Egypt's relations with other Arab, African, and Islamic countries. The initiative is being supervised by Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and aided by a number of scholars. In late August, Tayeb issued a 11-point document declaring the institution's official position on the prospective political order. It was released after deliberations with fellow clerics and intellectuals with different political and religious leanings. The document envisions a “modern” and “democratic nation-state” based on a constitution that ensures full separation among the different branches of government and guarantees equality for all citizens. These ideas have stirred controversy among hardline Islamist groups, while being welcomed by secular groups. Tayeb's adviser, Mahmoud al-Azab, said the new document concentrates on reform and democracy in the Arab region and the means of achieving progress on social, cultural, political and economic issues. It also tackles efforts to establish social justice, human rights and fairer distribution of wealth. "The new document comes as part of efforts to strengthen the first document, which stipulates that Egypt reinforce its ties with Arab, Islamic and African countries, as well as other nations around the world, back the Palestinian cause, and ensure the nation's independence,” Azab noted. He added that Al-Azhar has embarked on its new initiative out of a belief in its longtime national role of supporting moderate Islamic thought and preserving the nation's Arab and Islamic identity. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Al-Azhar has been a bastion of moderate Islam in the Sunni world. However, its influence has been waning since former President Gamal Abdel Nasser sought to reduce its power. President Anwar Sadat, who came to power in 1970, further weakened Al-Azhar by opening the door to radical Islamist groups that promoted Wahhabi thought. Translated from the Arabic Edition
