Awqaf Ministry alerted ahead of Eid al-Fitr; firm regulations to confront extremists

CAIRO – 12 June 2018: Awqaf Ministry is preparing a firm plan which will set strict regulations to confront the spread of extremist thoughts during Eid.

The ministry announced that extremists might think that Eid Al-Fitr prayers are a good chance to spread their thoughts; however a firm strategy was announced to guarantee organized and peaceful religious ceremonies on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr.

A total of 5434 courtyards were specialized for Eid early morning prayers. Official-Azhar preachers will be responsible for each one of these courtyards all over the country.

“We have about 60,000 Imams (Islamic prayer leader) affiliated with the ministry. They are all experienced, trained and non-extremist," Jaber Tayea Yousef, Awqaf Ministry’s spokesperson told Egypt Today.

He affirmed that Awqaf Ministry is responsible for Da’wah (preaching) and religious sermons; accordingly, it’s responsible for all religious preparations ahead of Eid Al-Fitr.

Every two preachers will be responsible for one praying courtyard. These courtyards are usually in front of or beside mosques. The ministry warned that any actions which violate the announced regulations will be investigated.

According to Yousef, no preacher will be allowed to give the Eid Sermons if he is not affiliated with Azhar.

This is however not the first time for Awqaf Ministry to announce strict regulations ahead of Eid to confront extremists and ban them from giving religious sermons, especially that huge numbers of worshipers usually attend the early morning Eid prayers.

Per President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi's regulations, Azhar has been taking several steps towards confronting extremist thoughts, including renewing the religious speech.

Last April, Egyptian Minister of Awqaf Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa revealed that the ministry is implementing a strategy to renew religious discourse. The ministry’s preachers are learning foreign languages including French, English, German and Spanish, in order to have better access to various knowledge sources. In accordance with the current strategy, the ministry has published a book titled “Protection of Churches in Islam”.