page exegesis of the Holy Qur'an (Al-Tafser Al-Waset). This Tafsir took over ten years to complete. Tantawi has taken a line against suicide bombings. In 2003 he called suicide bombers “enemies of Islam”, adding “people of different beliefs should co-operate and not get into senseless conflicts and animosity. Extremism is the enemy of Islam, whereas, Jihad is allowed in Islam to defend one's land and to help the oppressed. The difference between jihad in Islam and extremism is like the earth and the sky.”
__