Al-Azhar and Politics in Egypt in the Post-Arab Spring: Al-Azhar’s Position within State-Society Relations (2011-2021)
Presentation
This chapter analyses the transformations of al-Azhar’s position within state-society relations in Egypt, from the 2011 revolution to 2021. A centuries-old religious institution, al-Azhar saw its political and symbolic role redefined through the upheavals of the decade: revolutionary opening, authoritarian restoration, and a constant negotiation of its autonomy vis-a-vis the state.
Mohamed Gamal Ali sheds light on how the institution sought to preserve its influence and religious legitimacy within a political field in flux.
This chapter by Mohamed Gamal Ali appeared in the edited volume Political, Social, Religious and Economic Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa (Routledge, ed. Alessandro Ferrari, 2025, pp. 63-92).
Présentation
Ce chapitre analyse les transformations de la position d’al-Azhar au sein des relations entre l’État et la société en Égypte, de la révolution de 2011 à 2021. Institution religieuse séculaire, al-Azhar a vu son rôle politique et symbolique redéfini au fil des soubresauts de la décennie : ouverture révolutionnaire, reprise en main autoritaire, négociation permanente de son autonomie face au pouvoir.
Mohamed Gamal Ali éclaire la manière dont l’institution a cherché à préserver son influence et sa légitimité religieuse dans un champ politique en recomposition.
Ce chapitre de Mohamed Gamal Ali a paru dans l’ouvrage collectif Political, Social, Religious and Economic Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa (Routledge, dir. Alessandro Ferrari, 2025, p. 63-92).
تقديم
يتناول هذا الفصل تحوّلات مكانة الأزهر في العلاقات بين الدولة والمجتمع في مصر، من ثورة 2011 حتّى عام 2021. فالأزهر، وهو مؤسسة دينية عريقة، أُعيد تعريف دوره السياسي والرمزي مع تعاقب هزّات العقد: انفتاح ثوري، ثمّ إحكام سلطويّ، فمساومة دائمة على استقلاله إزاء السلطة.
ويُضيء محمد جمال علي كيف سعت المؤسسة إلى صون نفوذها وشرعيتها الدينية في حقل سياسيّ آخذ في إعادة التشكّل.
صدر هذا الفصل للباحث محمد جمال علي ضمن الكتاب الجماعي التالي (Routledge، بإشراف أليساندرو فيراري، 2025، الصفحات 63-92):
Political, Social, Religious and Economic Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa
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