Azhar Grand Sheikh Allows Organs Transplant of Ten Rapists after Execution

Tantawi said the organs could be transplanted even before getting the defendants' approval. The fatwa sparked great controversy among scholars.

In exclusives to Al-Masry Al-Youm, Tantawi said: "Those criminals have unmercifully dealt with the raped woman without any sort of compassion.

They committed their crime in spite of she kissed their legs and beseeched them not to do. Therefore, we legitimately have the right to get their organs after execution and transplant them to the needy patients."

Tantawi's statements have caused considerable controversy among scholars, who were divided into two groups of supporters and opponents. Abdel Rahman al-Adawi, member of the Islamic Research Academy, has voiced full support for the fatwa, adding that it is inconsistent with the provisions of the Sharia (Islamic law) because the person sentenced to death does not have any right in his body.

Ahmad Omar Hashim, Chairman of the People's Assembly (parliament) Religious Committee, has rejected Tantawi's fatwa because the Sharia says that and approval should be got from the person before transplanting his organs, warning that Egypt will turn into "another China" If we brought this fatwa into action.

China allows the transplant of organs of those who are sentenced to death without getting their approval in advance.