AL-AZHAR - BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ISLAMISTS

Since Husni Mubarak assumed the presidency in 1981, the Egyptian gover nment has transferred significant administrative duties to Al-Azhar in older to demonstrate its Islamic credentials. For its part, the ancie nt Muslim institution of higher learning has used these powers to push its own agenda and lever for an even greater role in decision making. Al-Azhar has emerged as a power in its own right, delicately placed b etween die government and the Islamist opposition.