MP asks Parliament Speaker to move to shut down Fatwa Koisks

CAIRO – 3 August 2017: Member of Parliament’s committee of Social Solidarity, Mohamed Abu Hamed is to submit a request to Parliament Speaker Ali Abdul Aal to intervene to shut down the Fatwa Booth established in Cairo’s Metro stations.

The Fatwa Booth or religious edicts committee was established on July 17 by Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy in cooperation with Cairo Metro Authority to counter extremism through simplifying religious messages for the public and reaching more citizens.

In his request, the parliamentarian said that the Fatwa Booth “has no plan in renewing the religious discourse.” Abu Hamed requested the referral of the quest to Prime Minister Sherif Ismail.

The booth was met by a wave of criticism by social media users and public figures, meanwhile other religious figures have praised it believing that it was a start to activate the renewal of religious discourse project. President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has always referred to the renewal of religious discourse as the most effective way to combat extremist thought prompting terrorism.

The parliamentarian has previously commented on the Fatwa Booth saying that “Al-Azhar is suffering separation from the reality of society.”

In late July, Minister of Transportation Hesham Arafat said that the booth was established in response to requests by many citizens, adding that they are only available at Al-Shohada metro station that receives around 500,000 commuters per day.

The kiosk will be canceled after Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) due in September, the minister said, adding that it might be repeated next year if requested by citizens.