CAIRO: Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb said Al-Azhar does not consider itself to be part of the political scene but that the centuries-old religious institution has a national role to play to stem the danger of polarization between political forces that are "honest in their patriotism, but differ in their methods." In a previous meeting on Wednesday, Al-Tayeb had called for reconciliation between all political powers and for consensus over Al-Azhar's proposal for a set of entrenched constitutional clauses. "Al-Azhar, as a national institution, and based on its historical role in safeguarding the unity and identity of the country, calls for this conference to discuss Al-Azhar's proposal as a basis that guarantees freedoms and rights and promotes citizenship," Al-Tayeb said at a press conference on Sunday. All presidential hopefuls and political powers including liberals, Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis were invited to the meeting. Al-Azhar's proposal calls for the establishment of a modern democratic state that separates between authorities and guarantees public freedoms and rights for all citizens. It guarantees freedom of belief and religious practice for all citizens and urges against the abuse of religion to spark differences and animosity between citizens. "The proposal was drafted by representatives of various intellectual and political streams and was widely accepted by political powers and public opinion inside and outside Egypt," Al-Tayeb said. "It is important for Al-Azhar as a moderate entity to play a reconciliatory role amidst the split among national powers between supporters and those who are against supra-constitutional principals," he added. He said that Al-Azar isn't entitled to draft a constitution but is concerned that it may contradict with Islamic Sharia.
