Azhar Urges Modern, Civilian Egypt State

ON ISLAM: CAIRO – Framing a document with Egypt’s intellectuals on the country’s future, Cairo’s Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, called for a modern, democratic state in Egypt with principals of Islamic shari`ah as the essential source of legislation.

The document aims to define “the relationship between Islam and the state in this difficult phase,” the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayyeb, declared in a news conference broadcast live, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported on Monday, June 20.

The document supports “the establishment of a modern, democratic, constitutional state” based upon the separation of powers and guaranteeing equal rights to all citizens, he said. » | OnIslam & News Agencies | Tuesday, June 21, 2011