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Conflict and Cooperation between the State and Religious Institutions in Contemporary Egypt

Introduction

• Tamir Moustafa: Doctoral student, University of Washington.

• Focus: Relationship between Egyptian government and Al-Azhar; shift from state control to cooperation.

Historical Context of Al-Azhar

• Establishment: Founded in 973 A.D., crucial for Islamic scholarship in Egypt.

• Government Relationship: Varied from cooperation to opposition; faced pressure to legitimize state authority.

• Control: Intensified post-1952 Free Officers' coup.

Government Control Mechanisms

• Manipulation: Financial control, appointments, and reorganization laws reduced Al-Azhar's autonomy.

• Effects: Changes in faculty and teaching philosophy.

Al-Azhar Under State Dominance

• Usage by Nasser: Leveraged Al-Azhar for policy legitimation and to combat Islamist opposition.

• Fatwas for Legitimacy: Al-Azhar's fatwas supported socialist policies and international stances.

• Nationalization of Mosques: Aimed to reduce radical influences.

Rise of Islamist Groups

• Public Response: Growing dissatisfaction led to radicalization and emergence of groups like Jihad and Takfir wal-Hijra.

• Assassination of Shaykh Muhammad al-Dhahabi: Symbol of Islamist opposition.

Al-Azhar's Crisis of Legitimacy

• Skepticism: Increasing doubt due to ties with the state.

• Criticism from Clerics: Notable opposition from figures like Shaykh Abd al-Hamid Kishk.

• Fatwas Against Writers: Example of fatwa against Farag Foda exemplifying the misuse of authority.

Shift from Conflict to Cooperation

• Mutual Threat: Militant Islam prompted a reconsideration of relationships.

• Al-Azhar's Stance: Denounced radical actions, aiming to reinforce authority.

• Statements from Shaykh Jad al-Haqq: Public denouncements of violence reflecting alignment with government.

Key Developments in the 1990s

• Increased Freedom: Al-Azhar began to oppose government on issues like clitoridectomy.

• Public Engagement: Participated in significant forums, asserting its influence against government pushback.

• Example: The 1994 UN Conference on Population and Development.

Impact of Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi's Appointment

• Appointment: In 1996, marked a shift towards accommodating government views.

• Controversies: Issues like clitoridectomy and population control policies faced criticism.

• Internal Conflict: Opposition from conservative factions within Al-Azhar.

Conclusion

• Paradoxical Relationship: State control weakened Al-Azhar's legitimacy, complicating Islamist management.

• Long-term Consequences: Transition from manipulation to cooperation for stability, revealing limits of state dominance in societal institutions.