Al-Azhar objects a Movie on Jesus, And Its Scholars criticizes Prince Charles honorary doctorate

Many believe that Egypt is secular country or make believe, however the role of the Sunni Al-Azhar institution as a regulatory, censor body of the power to ban and control arts, books and music poses a bog question whether we are a Muslim or an Islamic country. There is a big difference between the two. Al Azhar institution takes the liberity to release fatwas to cripple and stifle a free intellectual art life in Egypt to replace it with and Islamist life.

One of the roles, Al Azhar pretends to play is creating a dialogue between religions. In my opinion dialogues between nations, peoples of different sects or religions necessitate openness and transparency.

Growing up in Egypt as a Muslim, I attended my religion classes at school. At university, there is no such a thing unless your degree has to do to with religions. My school classes included Christians and Muslims. When my religion class begins, Copts have to leave the class to attend their own class as well. I never knew what is in their religion books. They did not know what we are studying as well. We shared all classes except religion. If this normal and fine:

Why Copts have to watch and listen all our religion programs on TV and radio that at least occupy 30% of the Egyptian Government transmission time?

Why Muslims in Egypt have a 24 hour Islamic Government radio station and there is no Copt station for even half a day?

Coming to the movie issue that Al Azhar wants to ban, why with every Islamic occasion, there is a flood of Islamic movies aired on government TV channels and radio stations all day to mark the occasion that are imposed on everyone including non-practicing or secular Muslims not only Copts per se? If Muslims in Egypt have the right to produce this huge amount of Islamic movies why Egyptian Copts are not allowed?

If we do not know anything about each other religions, why in our history classes there is a big section on Islamic Egypt and not Coptic Egypt. I did not study anything about the history of Egypt when was it was Copt? If I am not supposed to learn about Copts' religion, I believe as an Egyptian citizen I am entitled to a non-bias education.

If any religious institution in Egypt is claiming tolerance and religion dialogues bla bla bla, it has to begin by bringing people together not on Iftar (break-the-fast meal) in Ramadan but by bringing them together to learn about each other and respect difference. The bias of the Muslim Egyptians against Egyptian Copts is created by the lack of knowledge. If children grow up in Egypt to learn that Egyptian Copts have the same rights as Egyptian Muslims, we will not need to call for learning about each other religions, simply because equal citizenship is the answer.

Al-Azhar rejects depiction of Jesus in an Egyptian movie due to be shot in Egypt, producer says it has no right to intervene. Now, Al Azhar is teaching us another lesson, Muslims have the right to produce moves as much as they want and Copts are banned. Two days ago I read in the news that the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt will supervise the production of the movie from the historical point of view. The movie is intended to reflect the Coptic Church believes which will make the movie so different from the western movies. Today's news means that Al-Azhar is overruling the decision of the Coptic Church in Egypt. I have no reason for that except claiming supremacy.

According the Middle East Online - A film due to be shot in Egypt on the life of Jesus Christ has stirred protests from the highest authority in Sunni Islam, the Al-Azhar institution in Cairo.

Abdel Mooti Bayumi, an Al-Azhar professor, noted Monday that the institution had issued fatwas, or religious edicts, against any "depiction of the prophets" - which is the way Jesus is regarded in Islam.

In the meantime, Al Azhar University’s plan to award Britain's Prince Charles an honorary doctorate was opposed by some Islamic scholars, who said Monday the heir to the British throne did not deserve the honor.

Al Azhar institution comprises; AL - AZHAR supreme council, Islamic Research Academy, Islamic scholars’ city, AL - AZHAR University, AL - AZHAR Institutes.

Photo: The Duchess of Cornwall was given flowers by students from British schools after her arrival at Al-Azhar Park.

This park has nothing to do with Al Azhar. It is named after the name of the district. It is a beautiful area to visit in Cairo.