Chairman of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi issued decree no. 109 for 2012 renewing Sheikh Ali Gomaa’s term as the Grand Mufti of Egypt, who is to reach the legal age for pension next March. Ali Gomaa is considered one of the five most influential Islamic figures in the world, according to a study carried out by international researchers and experts. He was granted an honorary doctorate degree in Human Letters in July 2011 by Liverpool University, for being one of the most significant figures worldwide promoting for tolerance and understanding between religions.