Al-Azhar is Islam’s highest Sunni authority

By Sobhy Mujahid, IOL Staff

CAIRO , June 19 (IslamOnline.net) – Al-Azhar, Islam’s highest Sunni authority, is to launch a satellite channel to counter anti-Islam onslaughts and highlight the true essence of Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance.

The landmark project was approved by the Islamic Research Academy, Al-Azhar’s highest and most influential arm, at the request of its member Professor Abdul Rahman Al-Adawi.

The body also approved Adawi's request to issue a fatwa to allow allocating Zakat money to the channel, which will enlist seasoned experts to lay the groundwork of the channel and draw up its baselines.

"It has become a pressing religious duty to launch the illustrative channel, given the plethora of anti-Islam TV stations," Adawi told IslamOnline.net Saturday, June 19.

He said media attacks on Islam primarily targeted the Noble Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) traditions and Hadiths.

"Al-Azhar’s follow-up committee was alerted by this encroaching danger and decided to stand up to such attempts and refute any lies tarnishing the image of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)," Adawi averred.

The scholar said the project is part of efforts to counter the "colonial war" against Muslims, bearing in mind its economic, social, military and religious repercussions.

He underlined that the channel’s agenda will neither target "the other" nor cast doubt over other religions.

"It is only aimed at protecting Muslims against the ferocious campaign against their faith," he noted.

Adawi said if it had not been for Al-Azhar’s support, the project would not have seen the light, especially after the state-run Egyptian television refused to adopt the case or even allocate airtime to defend Islam.

Islamic Research Academy Secretary General Sheikh Ibrahim Atta Al-Fayoumi said the channel's funding has been a major obstacle.

He added the channel will depend heavily on the state coffers if it comes into existence.

The academy's affairs director Sheikh Saber Taleb said the channel will give prominence to the pivotal role played by Al-Azhar in the Muslim world and serve as a platform for Muslim scholars.