(MENAFN- The Peninsula) "It is one of Egypt's legitimate rights to place a barrier that prevents the harm from the tunnels under Rafah, which are used to smuggle drugs and other (contraband) that threaten Egypt's stability," a council of leading Muslim clerics in Egypt was quoted as saying by an Egyptian newspaper.
The comments were reportedly made by the Islamic Research Council of Al Azhar University, the highest seat of Islamic learning in Egypt, in defence of Egypt's move to construct a steel wall along its borders with Gaza
"Those who oppose building this wall are violating the commands of Islamic law," Al Masri Al Yawm newspaper quoted the Council as saying.
The statement was issued after a meeting attended by Egypt's top cleric Sheikh Mohammed Said Tantawi (pictured), who is a government appointee.
Construction of the steel wall has drawn angry condemnation from various circles in the Arab and Islamic world.
Hamdi Hassan, an Islamist member of the Egyptian parliament, has filed a lawsuit against President Hosni Mubarak demanding a halt to construction of the barrier, the newspaper reported.
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