Sheikh Shawki Ibrahim Abdul Karim was chosen on Monday to be Egypt's new Grand mufti. He succeeds Ali Gomaa, who took office in 2003.

Abdul Karim is currently a professor of jurisprudence at the University of Tanta.

The mufti issues legal opinions (fatwas) and edicts on interpretations of Islamic law and assist judges in deciding cases.

According to the law, the Council of Senior Scholars, which elected the new mufti, will submit his name to the president in order for him to issue a republican decree that official appoints the new mufti to his post. 

The law stipulates that the candidate should be graduated from Al-Azhar University. He should have academic production and served as a legitimate college professorship at the University of Al-Azhar. He cannot be under the age of 54 years.