As the world reels from the Paris terror attacks, which were claimed by the Islamic State group, Egypt is also struggling to deal with the jihadists, especially in the Sinai peninsula. The group claimed responsibility for the downing of a Russian passenger plane there last month which killed 224 people.

While the military attempt to stamp out the group, the government is simultaneously trying to contain religious extremism. In an effort to assert effective control over Islamic authorities, President Sisi has also reinforced state control over the Al-Azhar mosque and university and last year he made a groundbreaking speech asking for clerics to take a critical look at the state of contemporary Islam. Our team in Egypt looks at what has changed since then.
Report by Assia Shihab, Eric de Lavarène and Sharif Abdel-Kouddous
A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Elise Duffau

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