“I have been asked to give a few remarks to our guests before the prayers of celebration begin, Highness,” Salaam replied. “My duties require that I be elsewhere during the prayers of celebration.” He motioned to his left. “The chancellor of Al-Azhar University and chief justice of the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Supreme Judicial Council, Ulama Khalid al-Khan, will lead the prayer celebration in my place.”

Khalid al-Khan bowed deeply to Zuwayy, then took the Libyan’s extended hand and touched it tenderly to both cheeks. Al-Khan was in his late forties, a fundamentalist Sunni Muslim cleric who led the fight in 1980 as a firebrand—some said fanatic—to make the Shari’a, the Islamic legal code, the basis of Egyptian law; before that, the law had been a mishmash of English common law and even Napoleonic code, with a healthy dose of Turkish law thrown in to confuse everyone. The highest-ranking cleric in Egypt, al-Khan was an advocate of an even greater role of fundamentalist Islamic rule in Egypt and was very vocal in his opposition to both the Mubarak and Salaam governments. Al-Khan was dressed similarly to Zuwayy, with traditional Arab robes and turban.

“Majesty, it is an honor to meet you,” al-Khan breathed. “May the blessings of the Prophet be upon you forever and always.”

“And to you, my son,” Zuwayy replied. He looked aghast at Salaam as if to say, “That is how you pay proper respect to your superior.” “The Prophet of course allows the faithful to pray anywhere,” Zuwayy said to Salaam, “but He always looks with extreme favor on those who join together with their brothers in prayer.”

“My apologies, Highness,” Salaam said.

“I see you prefer to wear the clothing of a mushrikun as well,” Zuwayy added. “You have also shaved your beard, of which Allah almighty also disapproves. At least you still observe the adab al-imamahe added, motioning to Salaam’s turban, “although it does not appear to be the proper length, as prescribed by His Holiness the Prophet. You shall be instructed as to—”

“Mr. President... er, Highness,” Salaam interjected, purposely getting his title wrong just to irk the Libyan, “Allah, praise his name, knows the hearts and minds of all men. I am his servant, and I serve him in my own way.”

“The Prophet has told us how we must serve God,” Zuwayy responded sternly. “If it is in our power, we must obey. Please do not mock the Prophet or the faithful by telling us that not joining in prayer is a proper way to praise Allah. You must—”

“I’ll take that under advisement, Highness,” Salaam interrupted again. He bowed to Zuwayy, as did his wife; neither the Libyan nor al-Khan acknowledged his gesture. “If you’ll excuse me, I must prepare for my welcoming address. Until this evening.” He turned and stepped away before Zuwayy could say anything else.