Al-azhar statement: Grand mufti criticises Qaddafi corpse saga

CAIRO: Egypt’s prestigious seat of Sunni learning, al-Azhar, said on Tuesday the dead should be respected and buried, a clear criticism of how ousted Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s body was put on show and left to rot for days after his killing.

The statement by al-Azhar, published by Egypt’s official news agency, did not mention Qaddafi. But it clearly referred to him by saying it was responding to “the many questions” related to the mistreatment of the dead and other violent actions, including acts by “tyrannical regimes”, during Arab uprisings.

“We demand that all sides abide by the Islamic position that forbids using violence against peaceful protests but also forbids inhumane treatment of the injured and desecration of  bodies or keeping them without burial,” said The Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayyeb.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2011.