Egypt’s Top Islamic Sunni Institution of Al Azhar provides urgent financial aid to victims of Imbaba Church Fire

CAIRO – 15 August 2022: Al Azhar Grand Imam, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, directed the general administration of Al-Azhar to quickly coordinate with NGOs to disburse urgent aid in cash to the families of the deceased in the Abu Sefein Church fire in Imbaba, Giza Governorate.

He also directed Al-Azhar University hospitals to receive the victims of the fire for treatment and all aspects of support along, in cooperation with the hospitals of state institutions, besides providing the necessary psychological support, said a statement from Al Azhar Sheikhdom.

Egyptian authorities announced that the families of the victims killed in the huge fire that swept through the Coptic Church in Imamba, Giza, will receive LE 100,000 in compensation each.

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and the minister of social solidarity announced the compensation, saying that each injured citizen will receive LE 20,000 depending on the severity of the casualty.

A total of 41 people and 12 others were injured in the fire at the Abo Sefein Church in Imbaba district in Giza Governorate on Sunday, mostly due to suffocation and stampede.

A priest, Abdel Maseeh Bakhit, died in the Abu Seifein Church fire on Sunday, according to a church statement.

Reports say that many of the victims are children because the nursery attached to the church was one of the most affected buildings.