Egypt's Sheikh Tantawi, head of al-Azhar, dies aged 81 available (2nd Roundup)

Mar 10, 2010, 16:45 GMT

Cairo/Riyadh - Sheikh Mohamed Sayyed Tantawi, Grand Sheikh of Cairo's al-Azhar and one of the leading authorities of Sunni Islam, died Wednesday in Saudi Arabia aged 81, the Egyptian embassy in Riyadh has confirmed.

His body is to be buried in the Saudi city of Medina, the burial place of the Prophet Mohammed

Tantawi, born on October 28, 1928, was appointed Grand Mufti of Egypt in 1986. He held this position until he was appointed Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar Mosque and University in 1996.

Al-Azhar University and mosque in central Cairo was founded in the tenth centry, and counts as the premier seat of learning in Sunni Islam. The position of Grand Sheikh holds considerable international influence in religious affairs.

Mohamed Wasel, Sheikh Tantawi's deputy, is expected to take over leading the institution temporarily until Egyptian president Hosny Mubarak appoints a new head.

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the Vatican's top cleric in charge of interreligious dialogue joined in the mourning for Tantawi Wednesday.

'We have lost a friend because he always showed great comprehension and would welcome us with great cordiality,' he said.

Several of Tantawi's decisions in his time in the post caused controversy, as well as the fact that as it is appointed by the president, Tantawi was seen as part of the Egyptian regime. He was even dubbed the 'government's Sheikh' by critics of the government.

In 2009, Tantawi stirred controversy when he banned students wearing full-face veils, or niqab, from entering female-only classrooms and dormitories in al-Azhar university.

His ruling was seen by many as an attempt to counter increased Wahabist-style dress and customs, prevalent in conservative Saudi Arabia, in Egypt.

Tantawi's 2003 remarks which described France's decision ban the wearing of veils in schools as an 'internal issue' caused sharp disagreements among scholars in Cairo. Many said that Tantawi was presenting his personal views.

In August 2003, Tantawi decided to replace Sheikh Nabawi Mohamed, who was the head of the institution's Fatwa Committee, after he issued a fatwa - or religious judgement - saying that the interim Iraqi government was illegal because it opposed Egypt's position towards the US-led invasion.

He also made headlines when he called suicide bombers 'enemies of Islam', adding 'people of different beliefs should cooperate and not get into senseless conflicts and animosity.'

In 2007, he was attacked for his fatwa about 'lashing journalists' following the publication of news that dealt with Mubarak's health.

In 2008, several politicians and newspapers called on Tantawi to resign after he shook hands with Israeli President Shimon Peres at the United Nations sponsored interfaith conference held in New York.

Opposition and independent newspapers ran an almost daily campaign for his dismissal, reprinting the photograph of Tantawi greeting Peres and saying that Tantawi 'should purify his hands, as Peres' hands are tainted with the blood of Palestinians.'

Tantawi responded by saying that he did not recognise the Israeli President and that the meeting was in passing.

'He [Shimon Peres] met me, stretched out his hand, so I greeted him.. And suppose I knew him? So what... Isn't he from a country that we recognise?' Tantawi said.

However, his explanation had increased criticism as some mocked the fact that 'Egypt's leading Sheikh did not recognise Peres,' especially as Israeli media said that it was Sheikh Tantawi who approached the Israeli president.