Egypt’s Grand Mufti to Asharq Al-Awsat: Religious Discourse in Saudi Arabia Keeps Up with the Times

Shawki Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt (Egypt's Dar Al Ifta)
Shawki Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt (Egypt's Dar Al Ifta)
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Egypt’s Grand Mufti to Asharq Al-Awsat: Religious Discourse in Saudi Arabia Keeps Up with the Times

Shawki Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt (Egypt's Dar Al Ifta)
Shawki Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt (Egypt's Dar Al Ifta)

Grand Mufti of Egypt Shawki Allam has affirmed that “religious discourse in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is characterized by a set of qualities that fit the era.”

According to Allam, Saudi Arabia is offering solutions to everything that concerns modern-day Muslims in the matter of their religion.

“Religious discourse in the Kingdom is characterized by moderation,” Allam told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that “it addresses everyone, and is not limited to Muslims.”

“It also calls for optimism, action, and rejection of laziness and frustration,” added Allam.

In exclusive statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, Allam talked about Saudi efforts to confront “extremist ideology.”

“The Kingdom realized the danger of (extremist thought) at an early stage, so it adopted the method of monitoring, research and study to reach methods of prevention and treatment,” explained Allam, adding that “Saudi Arabia had (adjusted) the fatwa discourse and updated its tools to keep pace with technological development.”

“Saudi Arabia has confronted (terrorism) and (extremist ideology) and has taken a number of measures to communicate with youth to spread proper ideas and confront the danger of their polarization.”

“At the same time, the Kingdom worked on spreading moderate and enlightened thought, rejecting ideas of (violence and extremism) about religion,” added Allam.

Commenting on Saudi efforts to renew religious thought, Allam stressed that “the Kingdom responded to the requirements of the times with moderate discourse.”

“It also took into account the stage the nation is going through to refute the arguments of extremists.”

Allam also noted that Saudi Arabia is confronting the attack on religious constants.

On the compatibility of religious discourse in Saudi Arabia with the modern age, the Grand Mufti of Egypt affirmed that “extremism is not of the nature of a true, tolerant and open-minded Muslim, nor of the characteristics of Saudi Arabia as an Islamic nation in any case.”



Egypt Welcomes Tehran’s Renaming of ‘Islamabouli Street’ as a Turning Point in Relations with Iran

Relations between Egypt and Iran saw a notable thaw following Araghchi’s visit to Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
Relations between Egypt and Iran saw a notable thaw following Araghchi’s visit to Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt Welcomes Tehran’s Renaming of ‘Islamabouli Street’ as a Turning Point in Relations with Iran

Relations between Egypt and Iran saw a notable thaw following Araghchi’s visit to Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
Relations between Egypt and Iran saw a notable thaw following Araghchi’s visit to Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt has welcomed Iran’s decision to rename a Tehran street once dedicated to Khalid al-Islamabouli - the Egyptian army officer who assassinated President Anwar Sadat in 1981 - describing the move as a significant step toward resetting bilateral relations.

In the first official Egyptian response to the development, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khallaf told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Renaming the street is a positive step in Egyptian-Iranian relations. It helps put matters back on the right track.”

The street, long a source of tension between Cairo and Tehran, has now been renamed after Hassan Nasrallah, the former Secretary-General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, following a decision by the Tehran City Council.

Iranian media reported that a formal ceremony was held to unveil the new name, attended by officials, intellectuals, and civil society figures. The change was part of a wider initiative that saw 11 streets in the capital renamed last month.

Dr. Hoda Raouf, a Cairo-based expert on Iranian affairs, said the move reflects “a meaningful shift and a clear sign of Iran’s serious intent to restore relations with Egypt.”

She noted that Egyptian-Iranian ties have two key dimensions: regional security - particularly Egypt’s opposition to Iranian interference in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen - and the bilateral relationship, which has long been strained over symbolic gestures such as honoring Sadat’s assassin.

Political philosopher and Iran specialist Dr. Mohamed Khairy echoed that assessment, calling the street name change “a significant development.”

He emphasized that the decision was passed by majority vote and attended by influential figures from Iran’s political establishment, which he said reflects a genuine desire within Iran to repair ties with Cairo.

The gesture comes amid signs of warming relations between the two nations. Iranian top diplomat Abbas Araghchi recently visited Cairo, where he met President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and senior officials.

His visit included a symbolic walk through the historic Khan el-Khalili bazaar, prayers at the Al-Hussein Mosque, and dinner at the famed Naguib Mahfouz restaurant.

Sisi also held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the recent Israeli escalation against Iran, in which he affirmed Egypt’s rejection of Israeli attacks on Iranian territory.