Egypt’s crackdown and forced deportation of Central Asian and Uyghur students from al-Azhar, linked to growing security ties with China and Russia, has drawn international condemnation for human rights abuses.

Egypt’s new fatwa law limits al-Azhar’s authority, giving the state control over religious edicts and raising constitutional concerns.

Al-Azhar, led by Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb, faces Israeli backlash for its support of the Palestinian resistance and condemnation of Israeli crimes in Gaza.