Egypt's clerics elect top Islamic jurist
2013-02-11 21:32
Cairo - Muslim clerics from Al-Azhar, Egypt's premier
religious institution, have chosen the country's top Islamic jurist via direct
and secret balloting - the first such vote in six decades.
An official statement by the Senior Scholars Authority
says Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim, a professor in Islamic jurisprudence, was
elected Grand Mufti in a Monday vote.
The results are now expected to pass ratification by
President Mohammed Morsi.
Previously, the Grand Mufti was appointed by the
president.
But after the ouster of long-time president Hosni
Mubarak, Egypt's interim military rulers amended Al-Azhar's bylaws.
Abdel-Karim will be the country's 19th Grand Mufti since
1895.
He succeeds the moderate Ali Gomaa, who served for eight
years.
- AP
