Al-Azhar University issued a strong condemnation on Saturday against the Egyptian series Faten Amal Harbi, accusing it of mocking Islamic clerics and distorting the image of religious figures. The Fatwa Centre of Al-Azhar condemned the portrayal of Islamic scholars in the series, particularly those depicted with the traditional Azhar turban as “ignorant men lacking chivalry,” calling it “an act of deplorable bullying.”
The statement expressed deep concern over what it described as an intentional distortion of the religious status of scholars, undermining their dignity. It emphasized that such portrayals do not damage the scholars themselves, but rather harm those who perpetuate these misrepresentations and offend Egypt’s cultural reverence for religious figures.
Al-Azhar also rejected the series’ approach to mocking Quranic verses and providing false interpretations, describing this as a “major crime” that provokes unnecessary controversy. The statement stressed the importance of preserving the integrity of the Quran and the Sunnah, which is the second source of Islamic legislation, and called any attempt to marginalize these teachings an unacceptable assault on the stature of the Prophet Muhammad.
The series, written by Ibrahim Eissa and produced by Al-Adl Group, has sparked significant debate since its debut due to its criticism of Egypt’s Personal Status Law, particularly in relation to women’s rights. The show follows the story of a woman, played by Nelly Karim, who presents cases accusing the law of injustice against women, especially in matters like marriage, custody, and guardianship.
The controversy surrounding the series is further compounded by the fact that it has reignited discussions on the potential reform of the Personal Status Law. This law, which regulates marriage, inheritance, and custody, has been a point of contention for years, with many arguing that it is outdated and does not adequately protect women’s rights.
The series has also triggered an online campaign under the hashtag #guardianship_is_my_right, where Egyptian women shared personal stories about the limitations the law imposes on them. Despite calls for reform, the Egyptian House of Representatives postponed the discussion on amendments to the law, leaving it largely unchanged since its enactment under King Fouad 100 years ago.
Writer Ibrahim Eissa defended the series, stating that it was necessary to address the issue of outdated laws governing women’s rights in Egypt, even if they were amended over time. He argued that despite various legal reforms, the laws still fail to reflect the modern victories of Egyptian women and needed to be openly discussed in a dramatic context.
