Al-Azhar University has warned students not to engage in political activity when the new term begins on Saturday or they risk classes being suspended indefinitely.
“The university is ready to receive students on Saturday after a huge effort by the administration to secure the start of the academic year and student hostels,” said university president Osama El-Abed in comments reported on Thursday by state news agency MENA.
“The university is a place for education, not partisan politics,” El-Abed said.
In September El-Abed announced students would be banned from practising politics on campus.
Classes at the university, which has campuses nationwide, have been delayed twice in order to complete renovations at students hostels.
A large number of Al-Azhar students support ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and have participated in “anti-coup” protests.
Since the start of the academic year in September Egyptian university campuses have witnessed a number of protests, mostly by supporters of Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood. Some protests have turned into clashes with pro-military students.
Source : Ahram
