CAIRO: Al-Azhar Scholars Front condemned a recent fatwa issued by the Egyptian Islamic Legislation Authority, Dar El-Ifta, allowing soccer players to break their fast if they have a morning game. "Everyone has the right to play for entertainment [.] Playing is not an occupation that society promotes for people to make a living out of, Al-Azhar Scholars Front said in a press statement titled "Playing in all its forms is playing, released on Aug. 19 on their official website Jabhaonline.org. The group described this fatwa as a form of "homogenization which is the most lethal weapon facing Islam nowadays. Al-Azhar Scholars Front cited several sayings by Prophet Mohamed and Quaranic verses in their criticism of the fatwa. When contacted by Daily News Egypt, Dar El-Ifta confirmed issuing the fatwa. Headed by Grand Mufti Sheikh Ali Gomaa, Dar El-Ifta issued the fatwa saying that soccer players have one of the most strenuous occupations, and their performance will be affected by fasting. They explained that the player is bound by a contract with his club, and this could be his only source of income. The authority added that if the player has no other option but to participate in the game and fasting will influence his performance then he shouldn't fast, citing scholars who permit those who have hectic jobs to break their fast. However, the player who is able to financially support himself and his family has to fast and is excluded from the fatwa. Al-Azhar Scholars Front, which was founded in Cairo in 1946, is an association independent of Al-Azhar, and is known for its relatively extreme views. They have previously clashed with the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi for issuing fatwas they disagreed with. A court order banned the group in 1999, however they continue to operate and update their website with statements and fatwas of their own.
