Author: Nathan J. Brown & Cassia Bardos

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Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi performing the morning Eid ul-Adha prayers alongside the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayeb, Defence Minister Sedky Sobhy and Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab at the al-Sayeda Safeya Mosque, Cairo, Egypt, on 4 October 2014 (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/Office Of The Presidency)

President Sisi and Al-Azhar

Wresting religious authority from the Grand Imam

An arcane dispute between Egyptʹs president and Al-Azhar over how much society is threatened by debating the authenticity of hadiths and their role in Islamic law is really about moral leadership in society. By Nathan J. Brown and Cassia BardosMore

Abdul Fattah al-Sisi′s ascendancy: Sweetness and light?Islam, Al-Azhar and the terrorists′ ideology: If the cap fitsInterview with Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb: "What the Islamist armed movements are doing is wrong"

In brief

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According to the Koran, the Prophet Muhammad received the Book's holy words in the month of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims are supposed to practice abstinence. Daily prayer is compulsory – even for travellers. Islamic prayer rooms have been set up in many international airports, like the one here in Amman. In Germany, you can find these rooms in the airports at Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf

Ramadan: Enlightenment and commerce

Muslims all over the world are currently observing Ramadan. The month of fasting is supposed to be all about reflection, meditation and abstention - but Ramadan is becoming increasingly commercialised.