Mohammed Sayyid Tantaoui

Following Tantawi’s complaint about a satirical photomontage depicting him as the pope, an Egyptian court imposed fines on two journalists in October 2008. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the chilling effect on criticism of religious leaders. The available sources do not establish the outcome of any subsequent appeal.

State of the evidence

2008 ruling confirmed by CPJ and the US State Department; appeal outcome not verified.

Legal status — source text

Two journalists convicted in October 2008; outcome of any appeal not found. Tantawi was the complainant, not the defendant.

Attribution

Complaint brought by Tantawi; the convicted persons were the journalists, not the imam.

Person targeted by the proceedings

Adel Hammouda et Mohamed al-Baz

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is the complainant

A photograph of Tantawi shaking hands with Israeli President Shimon Peres at an interfaith gathering in New York prompted strong criticism in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world. Some commentators viewed it as a gesture of political normalisation. Tantawi said he did not recognise Peres and that the encounter was incidental.

State of the evidence

Photograph and contemporaneous statements documented.

Legal status — source text

No documented personal court proceedings; political or religious controversy.

Attribution

Diplomatic gesture criticised in the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

During French minister Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit, Tantawi said France could legislate on religious symbols in state schools. At the same time he characterised the hijab as a religious obligation for Muslim women. His stance was criticised by Muslim figures and groups opposing the proposed ban.

State of the evidence

Contemporaneous public statement reported by multiple media outlets.

Legal status — source text

No documented personal court proceedings; political or religious controversy.

Attribution

Controversial support for France’s right to legislate, without judicial implications.