Azhar and Endowment Ministry slam Ibrahim Eissa remarks

Al-Azhar and the Ministry of Endowments — in charge of religious endowments — both slammed remarks made by TV anchor Ibrahim Eissa, who said on his daily TV show that the idea of post-death torture for sins inside the grave has no religious foundations in Islam.

Eissa is known for his controversial religious remarks. He previously claimed that the veil was imposed during the era of Prophet Mohamed due to widespread sexual harassment.

The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyeb ordered on Wednesday the formation of a committee to investigate Eissa’s remarks and prepare evidence from the Quran and Prophet Mohamed’s teachings that prove the invalidity of Eissa’s claims.

The committee will present its findings to Al-Azhar’s supreme religious authority of the Islamic Studies Council, which will take any necessary legal action against Eissa.

Endowments Minister Mokhtar Gomaa slammed the remarks as well in an interview with the official Middle East News Agency (MENA), adding that such claims only serve powers of extremism and terrorism, given the conditions that Egypt is currently experiencing.

He added that extremist groups, indirectly referring to the Muslim Brotherhood, misuse such “pitfalls” to further their campaigns for extremism and terrorism.

“If we want to end religious extremism from the roots, we also need to end religious indulgence from the roots,” he added.

Eissa is expected to face accusations of religious blasphemy if Al-Azhar takes legal action against him. Such accusations have been on the rise since ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi assumed power in June 2012.