A video of a man wearing Al-Azhar University’s uniform being chased by police has been widely circulated by social media users in Egypt.
The man had been reportedly leading Eid congregational prayers in violation of anti-coronavirus measures that prevent gatherings.
Al-Azhar Undersecretary Sheikh Saleh Abbas said the student was referred to investigation, being a high school student in one of Al-Azhar’s affiliated institutes.
He was accused of violating decisions by the state, Ministry of Endowments and the Dar al-Ifta and fatawas by Al-Azhar, all banning gatherings for Eid prayers to avoid the coronavirus outbreak.
The indictment issued by the foundation includes “not carrying a permit to work as an Imam and insulting Al-Azhar.”
Since late March, Egypt has suspended congregational prayers in its mosques and restricted its work to calling to prayer, as part of several measures implemented by the authorities to prevent the virus’s spread.
Also, several Egyptian religious institutions decided not to hold Eid al-Fitr prayers in mosques and permitted their performance at homes to avoid gatherings.
Head of the religious sector at the Ministry of Endowments Jaber Taya said the circulated video shows the man is ignorant, denying him being affiliated with the ministry.
According to Egyptian local media, the man led the Eid prayers in response to requests by some people living in his neighborhood.
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