Egypt’s interim cabinet, led by Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri, has approved a new draft law stipulating that the grand imam of Al-Azhar be elected by Al-Azhar scholars via secret ballot.

Since the 1950s, the head of Al-Azhar – the foremost religious authority in the Sunni-Muslim world – has been appointed by the Egyptian president.

Before the new law goes into effect, however, it must be put before Egypt’s first post-Mubarak parliament – scheduled to convene on 23 January – for approval.

The draft law was prepared by Tarek El-Bishri, head of Egypt’s constituent committee, which was drawn up in March following Mubarak’s February ouster.

Ahmed El-Tayeb, appointed by Mubarak in 2010, is the current grand imam of Al-Azhar.