Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar warns against civil disobedience

The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb warned the Egyptian people Wednesday against responding to "the tendentious calls" for civil disobedience and worker strikes.

"The sincere patriot has to shun the calls of some political trends which aim to bring the country to knees and wreck havoc on the economy," Dr. Al-Tayyeb said in a televised address to the nation.
"The teachings of Islam provide against hampering production and work since stipulations of the Holy Quran enshrine the value of good work and links it to faith," he argued.
The Grand Sheikh was commenting on the plans by some politicians and revolutionary youths for nationwide civil disobedience and worker strikes as of Saturday in a bid to end the rule of the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces (SCAF) as early as possible.
Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti Dr. Ali Jomaa echoed the remarks of the Grand Sheikh, citing the Quranic verses and speeches of Prophet Mohammad, Peace Be upon Him, that rule against any infringement on the public or private interests.
"The calls for civil disobedience can only worsen the economic conditions and daily life of citizens, put the civilian lives in jeopardy, and dismantle the state," Dr. Jomaa cautioned.
He recalled a recent fatwa (religious opinion) by the Fatwa House that set controls for popular demonstrations within the parameters of Islam when need be.
On his part, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Affairs of the Ministry of Awqaf (religious endowments) Dr. Mahmoud Awadain, reaffirmed opposition to worker strikes and civil disobedience.
"Such calls are unacceptable and unjustifiable not only for their inconsistence with the Islamic teachings but also for the fact that they are not the proper means for expressing views in the post-revolution era," he underscored.
Similar statements were made by the General Federation of the Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, the Egyptian Civil Aviation Association and Al-Wafd party.