Shawky Ibrahim named Egypt’s new grand mufti

Shawky Ibrahim has been selected as Egypts new mufti, succeeding Ali Gomaa, who has occupied the post since 2003, Al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr reported on Monday.

Ibrahim is a professor of Islamic jurisprudence at Tanta University in Gharbiya Governorate.

According to Al-Azhar law, the institutions Senior Scholars Authority will submit the nomination to President Mohamed Morsy for his approval.

The law requires the nominee for mufti to be an Al-Azhar graduate, to have published scientific and jurisprudential writings, to have had a professor position at an Al-Azhar affiliated university, and to be at least 54 years of age.

There had been much speculation that Abdel Rahman al-Bar, Muslim Brotherhood Guidance Bureau member, was the leading candidate for the post.

Last week, a source from Al-Azhar's Senior Scholars Authority said that the new appointee would not be affiliated with any political trend or party.