Dr. Abbāss Shūman, deputy of the Azhar and member of the Supreme Scholars Council stated that if a scholar joins a political party this does not mean that the Azhar endorses this party. However, individuals are free to take part on the condition that they do not threaten the stability of Egypt and do not contradict with the Azhar school of thought (Nāddir Abū al- Futūh and Marwá al- Bashīr, al- Ahrām, Feb. 11). Read original text in Arabic.