Grand Mufti of Egypt ‘Ali Gum’a recently issued a fatwa (religious decree), approving the renting of minarets for the use of cellular companies, the London-based daily Al-Quds Al-‘Arabi reports. The fatwa sparked off a heated debate among the country’s muftis and some of them criticized the grand mufti’s decision.
"The Prophet… banned the use of the house of God in trade," Deputy Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar University, Mahmoud ‘Ashour told Al-Quds Al-‘Arabi.
‘Ashour added that prayers would be harmed by the radiation coming out of the antennas.
Gum’a, in response, called his critics "ignorant," the paper reported. His statement was followed by harsh condemnation from dozens of sheikhs and religious scholars.
"The [grand] mufti of Egypt has brought down the high position which he occupies to its lowest, by attacking those who are opposed to him," ‘Ashour said.
"It is not befitting for him to call us ignorant, because this is an insult, and he is smearing the reputation of the scholars," Imam of the I’slah mosque in Al-Giza, Sheikh Ibrahim ‘Abd Al-Qadir, told the newspaper.