Sunni Scholar Sheik Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi: The Head of a Muslim State Must Be a Muslim

Interviewer: Citizenship means equality between all people in a certain country, whether Muslims on non-Muslims. In a country with multiple sectarian and religious denominations, can the head of state be non-Muslim?

Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi: The head of a Muslim state must be a Muslim.

Interviewer: Doesn't this contradict the notion of citizenship?

Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi: No. In principle, all people should be equal, but in a Muslim country, the imam should serve as a role model for Muslims. He leads the prayers. How can you ask a non-Muslim to pray? Source.