A draft law to affiliate the Al Azhar University, Egypt's prestigious theological institution, with the country's other educational institutes is fresh evidence of foreign meddling, according to Islamists.
"This draft Bill violates a 1961 Law, which stipulates that Al Azhar is an affiliate to the President and that its policy is being worked out at the Higher Council of Al Azhar," said Ali Laban, an Islamist MP.
He told Gulf News that he has sent a letter in this regard to Prime Minister Ahmad Nadeef on a recent statement made by the Minister of Higher Education that Al Azhar University would come under the supervision of a council overseeing other government-run universities under a new comprehensive law on higher education.
"This is a new conspiracy to secularise Al Azhar," alleged Laban. "The step is taken under pressure from the Americans and the Zionists."
In the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks, Islamists have grown suspicious of the US, accusing it of meddling in Egypt's education policy, especially at Al Azhar, the Sunni world's oldest seat of learning.
"The envisaged Bill on Al Azhar integration has been heralded by pressure placed on the university, including cutting its budget."
Manae Mahmoud, the Dean of Al Azhar University's Theology Faculty, begs to disagree. "It is implausible that the US is preoccupied with the content of the curriculum taught at Al Azhar," he told Gulf News.
"Discrediting Al Azhar does not benefit the liberal trend. The sole beneficiary are the terrorist groups, which seek to radicalise young people and prevent them from learning about correct thinking."
Al Azhar, according to Mahmoud, epitomises moderation and tolerance. "Its students are taught about different faiths and ideologies, including atheism. So, not a single militant or terrorist is found to have studied at Al Azhar."
Officials at Al Azhar University denied they were notified of the controversial Bill.
"Even if this integration took place, it would not mean that all universities would be the same," said Abdul Dayem Nusir, Al Azhar University's Vice President.
"Al Azhar University has a mission which is different from that of any other university inside or outside Egypt. I don't think any one in the government stands to benefit from changing the nature of our university or undermining its mission."
Acknowledging foreign pressure on the Arab world, especially in education, Nusir said, "We, at Al Azhar, take no heed of such pressure."
Gulf News
