Abstract
Subject Sisi and Al Azhar relations. Significance President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi on July 26 announced the formation of a new body, the National Council to Confront Terrorism and Extremism, to fight militancy. The institute will be chaired by Sisi and comprise ten ministers, the Grand Imam of Egypt’s top religious institution, Al Azhar, Egypt's former state Grand Mufti and several public figures. One of its duties is to promote moderate religious discourse. Sisi has been critical of Al Azhar's own religious messaging and has sought to take greater control of the mosque and university complex, but parliament has failed to pass key legislation. Impacts Traditionalists in Al Azhar will continue using blasphemy laws to silence critics. Conservatives will campaign to keep their ascendancy inside Al Azhar against moderates. Increased state control would undermine Al Azhar's efforts to compete for popularity with the Muslim Brotherhood.
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