Egypt’s al-Azhar amidst a poisoned political atmosphere

Egypt's al-Azhar institution is more than a thousand years old. Sunnis, Shiites, Ottomans and European rulers fought over it. Napoleon claimed to be a follower of Islam and sought to rule Egypt through the institution. And history repeats itself today. The struggle reached its peak when Ahmadinejad insisted to enter al-Azhar as the first Iranian president allowed to do so. Al-Azhar custodians were subsequently angered by him and warned him not to interfere or spread Shiism in Egypt. Al-Azhar represents Islamic moderation. It is an educational lighthouse and a prominent religious point of reference. After the judiciary, the security and the media, Egypt’s struggle reached al-Azhar’s fences Al-Azhar represents Islamic moderation. It is an educational lighthouse and a prominent religious point of reference. After the judiciary, the security and the media, Egypt’s struggle reached al-Azhar’s fences. The struggle reached an extent we have not known before, regarding the exchange of conspiracies over this religious institution. There have been accusations of poisoning, coups and conspiring. These accusations divided Egyptians. The Salafis stood against their ally, the Brotherhood, and threatened it, warning its members not to insult them. And the Christian Copts supported the Islamists against the Brotherhood