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Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, the head of Egypt's most prestigious seat of Islamic learning al Azhar, died of a heart attack on Wednesday during a visit to Saudi Arabia, religious officials at al-Azhar said.
The 82-year-old Egyptian, who had previously undergone heart surgery, suffered a heart attack as he boarded a flight early Wednesday morning, Egyptian television said.
He was admitted to the Amir Sultan hospital in Riyadh where doctors proclaimed him dead.
Tantawi has been criticized for toeing the government's line.
Tantawi issued a religious edict last year barring the Niqab in al-Azhar-run all-girl schools.
His body is likely to be sent back to Cairo on Wednesday evening, local television said.
PHOTO CAPTION
Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, pictured in 2008.
Agencies
