CAIRO: Omar Al-Deeb, deputy head of Al-Azhar, denied allegations that the institution does not revise books available in its library after reports claimed otherwise. Last June, Al-Azhar Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawy caused a stir when he reportedly told a meeting of members of the Islamic Research Center that revising books is not Al-Azhar's responsibility. "No books are published by Al-Azhar without first being revised by Al-Azhar scholars, regardless of whether they are written by Azhar sheikhs or not, Al-Deeb told Daily News Egypt. Al-Deeb explained that every book published by Al-Azhar is first checked for its content, sources and edited for language and style by experts in each field. Only after these scholars approve, is it made available in Al-Azhar library and for distribution. Al-Deeb also denied allegations that Al-Azhar library contains a book that provides false and harmful information about Prophet Mohamed's (PBUH) marriage to Khadiga, as was reported by 24 hours, a free independent daily newspaper on Oct. 31. The newspaper claimed to have found a book titled "The Holy Companion's Lives in Al-Azhar library written by Mohamed Youssef Al-Kandholy, who tells a different version of the story of Prophet Mohamed's marriage to Khadiga. According to the newspaper article, the book claims that Prophet Mohamed married Khadiga without her father's consent; that Khadiga's father was intoxicated during the marriage ceremony. "Al-Azhar revises all books that it produces, publishes or presents in its library, reiterated Al-Deeb, "and our scholars would never allow a book with such content to be available in our library. A few months ago, Egypt's Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa published a controversial book claiming that the Prophet's companions used to drink his urine, considering it a blessed act. Despite coming under fire for the content, Gomaa held his ground, claiming that everything emanating from the Prophet is pure and sacred. Nonetheless, Tantawy requested that Gomaa withdraw his book. Al-Deeb also put the controversies surrounding the recent fatwas to rest, saying that fatwas are not issued unless they are approved by the Islamic Research Center. "There are only three authorities that can issue fatwas: the Grand Mufti, the fatwa committee in Al-Azhar and the Islamic Research Center, he explained, the latter being the highest of the hierarchy. Last May Sheikh Ezzat Attiya, chairman of the hadith department at Al-Azhar University, was fired after issuing a fatwa suggesting that symbolic breastfeeding of male coworkers could be a way round the strict religious segregation of males and females. Al-Deeb also confirmed that the new teachers' law - set to increase teachers' salaries by 70 percent, which amounts to LE 100 - "will be implemented on Al-Azhar teachers who will share the same privileges that teachers working under the Ministry of Education receive, Al-Deeb said. Al-Deeb added that Al-Azhar will also implement the new law on the administrative staff and supervisors in the different educational institutions.
