التاريخ : السبت 12 يوليو 2025 . القسم : Media Statements
Message to Al Azhar Grand Sheikh: A call to lift injustice off the Badr 3 Prisoners
His Eminence Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif,
May Allah’s peace, blessings, and mercy be upon you,
As you know, Your Eminence, very well, scholars have the highest status and most honourable position; as they are the Messenger's vicegerents among his followers and the heirs of the Prophet’s wisdom. Therefore, Allah Almighty cited them as witnesses to His Oneness and devotion of religion to Him. Allah Almighty says in Surat Al-Imran: ﴾ Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. ﴿ (Al-Imran: 18)
Due to having been a home for scholars throughout its long history, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif is the centre of Islamic knowledge. Often, the oppressed and the panic-stricken among the Egyptian people would turn to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, seeking its help in times of crises: as its scholars have always been like stars in the darkness; they have been the voice of truth, the conscience of the nation, and the spokespeople for Egypt and its people in the face of both aggressive invaders and unjust rulers throughout history.
In this regard, we thank Allah Almighty that we have viewed in stances of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, under your leadership, an inspiration from this long history, and an affirmation of this great role in defending Islam and its Sharia in the face of Islamophobic attacks, Westernization campaigns, and attempts to impose laws that conflict with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and Sharia; and also in the firm and honourable stance that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has adopted against the crimes of the Israeli occupation in Gaza, the West Bank, and Holy Jerusalem.
His Eminence Al-Azhar Grand Imam,
Considering the above, I address this appeal to you today; as the detainees in Badr 3 Prison’s Division 2 are subjected to ongoing, oppressive injustice. For many years, up to 12 years, the prisoners there have been denied visits from their families and lawyers, prompting them to go on a hunger strike on 20 June 2025, in attempt to achieve their legal and human right to see their children, receive necessary healthcare, and be treated humanely and with dignity.
The injustice that these people, and thousands of other Egyptian detainees, are being subjected to violates Egyptian law. It also contravenes the principles of chivalry and honour in treating prisoners who have been deprived of their freedom; as abusing them no longer reflects the power of the jailer, but rather is purely a blind act of revenge, which people of noble souls and sound nature would certainly avoid. It is also a behaviour that contradicts the Holy Quran’s call to be kind to the prisoner and treat him well, in the context of Allah Almighty’s description of the righteous and approved among His servants, as He Almighty says in Surat Al-Insan: ﴾ And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. ﴿ (Al-Insan: 8-9). Of course, when this noble verse was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, the captives were none other than polytheists fighting the believers, as is well known to Your Eminence. So, how should we deal with Muslims who have committed no crime other than being political opponents, whom everyone attests to as honorable, noble, and loyal to their country and religion?
His Eminence Al-Azhar Grand Imam,
Allah has forbidden injustice for Himself, and made it forbidden among His servants. He – Glory be to Him – has pledged to raise the call of the oppressed above the clouds, and has sworn to support him, even if after a while. Your Eminence, with your high position along with the position of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif are more deserving of action to lift injustice off the oppressed, and to remind the oppressor that injustice will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection, and that it is a harbinger of the ruin of civilization in this world. Egypt, which is facing internal challenges and external threats, cannot rectify its situation based on the continued oppression of some of its children and the violation of their rights and dignity; as Allah Almighty has decided in His Noble Book, Surat Yusuf, that: ﴾ … Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed. ﴿ (Yusuf: 23)
May Allah Almighty guide your steps towards what is good and right, and may He protect Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, as a beacon of knowledge and a university for Islam and Muslims.
Dr. Salah Abdel Haq
Acting Muslim Brotherhood General Guide
(Wednesday, 17 Muharram 1447 AH / 12 July 2025 AD)