Al-Azhar foils Brotherhood’s plots

Doaa Emam

Hassan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, has been keen on bolstering ties with Al-Azhar since the organization was created in1928. El-Banna aimed at snatching credibility from Al-Azhar that his group represents Islam.

Al-Azhar’s students and professors have been a precious target set by the Brotherhood. El-Banna ordered concentration on Al-Azhar students and professors.  In fact, the Brotherhood has penetrated Al-Azhar University through the student groups, which are part of the youth activities inside the local universities.

Ayman Abdel Ghani, son-in-law of Khairat el-Shater, deputy supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, was the Brotherhood’s students’ activities inside Al-Azhar University.

Abdel Ghani was involved in funding students accused of terrorism following the June 30 Revolution.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have listed Abdel Ghani for his role in funding and plotting terrorist actions over the past years inside Egyptian universities, especially Al-Azhar University, and Helwan Brigades.

The first pro-Brotherhood student group, named “The Desired Victory Generation” was formed in the early 1990s at Al-Azhar University. It had around 2,000 students. However, the students had to conceal their affiliation with the Brotherhood due to security crackdown.

 The students’ group drew on sports and cultural activities, in addition to trips to lure more university students, so they would join the Brotherhood. Moreover, some members of “The Desired Victory Generation” were involved in a military parade on campus in 2006.

After the collapse of the Brotherhood-led government and the ousting of Mohamed Morsi in 2013, the members of students’ group were involved in violence and terrorist actions.

The Brotherhood formed another students’ group called “Azharioun against the Coup”, which has been supported by a number of professors; who are members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Dr. Ahmed Zarie, Al-Azhar University spokesperson, said that “The Desired Victory Generation” group is over.

“Student groups are allowed according to the regulations set by the University’s Youth Department. The university bans any political activities inside the university,” Zarie told THE REFERENCE.

“The University’s Youth Department has laid out a number of activities that can be practiced at the university, including educational and recreational activities,” he said.

“The people in charge of these student groups should not members of any groups, especially the Muslim Brotherhood,” he noted.

For his part, researcher Tarek Abul Saad, an expert on Islamist movements, said the activities of the Brotherhood’s students atAl-Azhar still exist.

“However, these activities are clandestine. The students deny any affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood organization,” Abul Saad told THE REFERENCE.