His attendance at several events this week indicated that Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb's popularity hasn't waned despite disagreements with the President over religious reform. On Saturday, Parliament’s general secretariat issued a statement to refute news reports that some bills were being reviewed related to the age of al-Azhar's grand sheikh and committees. Previous statements from Sisi to Tayyeb in January have publically revealed disagreements and tension between the state and al-Azhar, especially with regard to the so-called "renewal of religious discourse". Al-Watan newspaper previously quoted Sisi as telling Tayyeb: "You wear me out", during a celebration held on National Police Day. This statement by Sisi highlighted the ongoing rift between the presidency and the al-Azhar institution, whose response to the president's calls for religious reform is seen as lukewarm.

Source: Egypt Independent May 01, 2017 11:15 UTC