Egypt's Mufti: Peaceful protests permissible in Islam

Egypt's Mufti Shawqi Allam said that peaceful protest is permissible in Islam. In a statement on Friday, Allam called on all parties to avoid acts of violence and secure public and private property. Allam said the state security apparatus bear the responsibility of securing peaceful protesters. On June 19, Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, said that peaceful protests against Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi are not against Islamic Shariah. "Peaceful opposition to the ruler is accepted under Shariah," Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb said. The opposition parties are set to hold mass demonstrations on Sunday demanding President Mohamed Morsi to step down.