Muslim scholar praises anti-hate speech bill

Cairo - The anti-hate speech draft law currently prepared by Al-Azhar is meant to maintain the unity of Muslims and Christians in Egypt, former president of Al-Azhar University Dr. Ibrahim El-Hodhod said.

Speaking to Egypt’s Youm7 news website on Wednesday, El-Hodhod said the 16-article bill aims to protect Egypt's national fabric and allow followers of heavenly religions to practise their religious beliefs freely.

On this occasion, El-Hodhod thanked Al-Azhar scholars, atop of them is Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb, for their efforts to prepare this draft law.

Earlier, El-Tayeb announced that Al-Azhar would submit a draft law to the Egyptian parliament criminalizing hate speech, particularly against any religious beliefs.

He said Al-Azhar is submitting this draft law upon the president's request as a way to combat ideologies “that do not represent Islam.”

Al-Azhar said that this law aims to criminalise “incitement to hatred” and “violent crimes committed in the name of religion,” and should help promote tolerance.