CAIRO: Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Center is currently debating joining a private Islamic satellite channel as a board member, Mahmoud Ashour, member in the center, told Daily News Egypt. However, Ashour refuted rumors that Al-Azhar will be the channel's main stakeholder, saying instead that it is funded by a group of businessmen. "We [Al-Azhar board members] received a proposal from a group of businessmen who want to launch an Islamic channel and asked us to join them, Ashour said. He said Al-Azhar is currently studying the proposal and has not set a date to respond. The new channel is expected to be headed by the popular Sheikh Khaled Al-Guindy, who also hosts talk shows on local and satellite TV channels. Mohamed Abdel Rahman, member in the People's Assembly's (PA) religious affairs committee, believes the channel will put a stop to the widespread shows that host scholars who are not affiliated with Al-Azhar or Dar Al-Ifta - the only two legitimate bodies authorized to issue fatwas. However, he is skeptical this will limit the issuance of illegitimate fatwas. He underlined the importance of making Sharia the framework for all Islamic programs on local as well as satellite channels. Abdel Rahman expressed concern regarding the amount of freedom Al-Azhar will be given should it participate in the project. "Al-Azhar has in the past been restricted by the political regime, he said.
