Canadian newspaper Globe & Mail welcomed the document issued by Al-Azhar's Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb, and a number of Egyptian intellectuals who expressed their support to the establishment of a constitutional, civil and modern state in Egypt. The newspaper reported al-Tayeb's declarations on Sunday, in which he assured Islam's refusal of a religious state as implicit criticism to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The newspaper praised the document that supports the “separation between the authorities and ensures equality between citizens.” The newspaper pointed out to anxious Egyptians of the Muslim Brotherhood's (MB) role after the January 25 Revolution. The revolution prompted Al-Azhar to change the MB's situation. The Canadian newspaper said the documents aim to separate Al-Azhar's university from the state, confirming Egypt's civil society will strengthen by self-ruled institutions, especially institutions of higher education. The newspaper raised the necessity of removing the constitutional position of the religion to achieve what it called liberal democracy in Egypt. The document is considered a good initiative from Al-Azhar to Egypt and other Arab states.
