During its monthly meeting, the Islamic Research Academy denounced the U.S. State Department’s report on religious freedom in Egypt, calling it an unwelcome and inappropriate intervention in Egyptian affairs. Azhar Grand Shaykh Ahmad al-Tayyib said that the Academy will release an official response next Monday after a meeting on the matter. Azhar spokesperson Muhammad Rafā‘ah al-Tahtāwī said that the meeting will include the leaders of Egypt’s biggest churches so that the response represents all Egyptians.

The Academy also discussed a doctrinal question from Nigeria concerning the punishment of theft in light of Nigeria’s increasing poverty level. The Academy responded by saying that, even though punishment of theft is one of Islam’s fundamental laws, it should be dealt out according to the severity of the crime. A fatwá was issued that effectively lessens the punishment of theft depending on the circumstances.

The Academy also denied ties with Muhammad Subhī al-Sharqāwi, a school owner in the United Kingdom who claims to be an Azhar representative and Muftī.