Region | Egypt
Al Azhar university creates history
Al Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world's most influential institution, has approved the first interpretation of the Quran conducted by a woman, officials said.
- By Ramadan Al Sherbini, Correspondent
- Published: 23:36 December 25, 2008
Cairo: Al Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world's most influential institution, has approved the first interpretation of the Quran conducted by a woman, officials said.
"The interpretation, made by Kariman Hamza [an ex-TV presenter] was approved because it does not contradict the rules of the Islamic Sharia," said Ali Abdul Baqui, secretary general of the Islamic Research Centre, an important arm of Al Azhar, which licensed the interpretation.
"This interpretation was thoroughly vetted by the Centre's scholars before they gave their approval," Abdul Baqui told Gulf News. He denied that Islam discriminated against female interpreters of the Quran. "In Islam, there is no such thing as male or female interpretations. What matters most is that the interpretation should comply with the texts of the Holy Quran and the codes of the Sharia."
The interpreter, Hamza, is famous for her long years as a presenter of popular religious programmes on Egyptian television. During her 35-year career, Hamza had also hosted noted Muslim clerics.
"Her interpretation of the Quran was made for the youth, using a simple language and writing style," Baqui said.
He added that the Centre recommended the interpretation be released on the market immediately.
Hamza, a media graduate, was happy about the approval. "I was careful to make my interpretation as simple and clear as possible so that youngsters can understand it," she said. "This explains why it is titled 'The Conspicuous Interpretation of the Quran for Youth and Youngsters'."
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