I just wrote two days ago that Qaradawi “wields considerable influence” in Egypt, particularly among the Muslim Brotherhood, and here we are. “Banned Qaradawi returns to lead Friday prayers in Egypt,” from Al-Arabiya, February 17 (thanks to all who sent this in):
For the first time since he was banned from leading weekly friday [sic] prayers in Egypt 30 years ago, prominent Muslim scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi will lead thousands in the weekly prayers from Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Friday.
Sources told Al Arabiya that a military force will accompany the head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars from his home to Tahrir Square, provide security for the prayers and accompany him back to his residence.
Al-Qaradawi last delivered a Friday prayer sermon in Egypt in 1981 after the assassination of former President Anwar el-Sadat….
Sheikh Qaradawi confirmed in a telephone call with the German Press Agency that he would lead tomorrow’s prayers in Tahrir, with hundreds of thousands expected to attend.
Some of Qaradawi’s sons and daughters took part the Tahrir demonstrations leading up to the overthrow of the Mubarak.