His progressive views included allowing charging interest on loan, issuing a fatwa allowing Muslim girls to take off their headscarves while attending school in France, allowing abortion in cases where a woman had become pregnant as a result of rape, opposing female circumcision and suicide bombings and calling Osama Bin Laden's jihad on West as 'invalid and not binding on Muslims'.

Tantawi's greatest achievement was launching a campaign against the Niqab (the full-face veil which covers the entire body except for the eyes)by personally removing the Niqab of a teenage girl while visiting a school after she failed to remove it. He then instructed the girl never to wear the Niqab again and promised to issue a fatwa against its use in schools, saying he was determined to officially ban any person wearing the Niqab from entering schools.

Tantawi's only orthodox stance was on opposition of woman as Imam but otherwise he was undoubtedly one of the most courageous and progressive religious leader who tried his best to bring positive change.

Thanks for sharing the interesting info...

Egypt is one one of the most progressive Arab / Muslim nation and they have a rich tradition of cinema, theater and other art forms.