Egypt rejects calls to oust Al-Azhar's Grand Sheikh

The Administrative Court of the Egyptian State Council rejected an appeal giving power to the prime minister to sack Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayeb, Arabi21 reported yesterday.

The decision came after President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi came under heavy criticism from social media activists after Al-Tayeb suffered “severe humiliation” during Pope Francis’ visit to Egypt this weekend.

Justifying its decision, the court said the sheikh’s position is independent according to the Constitution.

“Article 103 of the year 1961 related to Al-Azhar and the committees affiliating to it did not include any text related to ousting Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh from his positon,” the court said, “therefore, it is not true to issue any decision that sacks Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh.”

Pro-government lawyer Abdel-Wahhab Tawfiq filed a complaint calling for Al-Tayrb to be sacked, noting that he was appointed to this positon by a presidential decree in 2010.

During the Pope’s visit to Egypt Al-Sisi was pictured with the Pope besides him on the podium while the sheikh was sitting separately and in a lower area.