CAIRO: The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, Egypt's most prominent Islamic institution, called on political leaders to heed its recommendations for the country's new constitution in a meeting with potential candidates and representatives of political parties. Al-Azhar's recommendations should be consulted during the drafting of the new Egyptian constitution, especially since Al-Azhar enjoys support among national and social movements in Egypt, said the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb. Al-Tayeb warned those in attendance that controversies surrounding different transition strategies might lead to contradictions that will negatively affect Egypt's future. The Grand Imam said that although some see supra-constitutional principles as an obstacle to prevent the domination of one trend at the expense of others in formulating the next constitution of Egypt, others see such principles as a circumvention of the people's will, as expressed in the March constitutional referendum. Al-Tayeb said that Al-Azhar has no political or partisan role but has held a historical national role, which prompted him to put forward Al-Azhar's recommendations as a solution to the constitutional controversy. He described the recommendations as a framework to protect the main principles of a national, constitutional and democratic state. He added that the recommendations prevent the monopoly of authority and ensure a peaceful transition. The meeting was attended by a number of potential presidential candidates as Amr Moussa, Mohamed el-Baradei, Mohamed Seleim al-Awa, Hamdeen Sabbahy, Ayman Nour, and a representative of Hisham Bastawisi. Representatives of political parties also attended the meeting.
