Mosques are back on the right track: Minister of Endowments

CAIRO – 2 July 2017: Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), Dr. Mohammad Mukhtar Juma, said in a speech during a meeting with imams and preachers on Saturday that the Ministry of Endowment has restored the prestige and sanctity of mosques in Egypt. He added that the ministry shed light on the vital role that Imams play in confronting extremists that try to control religious platforms including mosques for political purposes such as spreading terror ideas and recruiting terrorists.

Juma, also stressed that the ministry firmly stands against extremists as they distort Islam and send incorrect messages about it to the world.

Juma also praised the Imams for their outstanding performance during the holy month of Ramadan. He added that their role to enlighten people and introducing the correct concepts of Islam is continuous.

“If preachers don’t have firm faith deep in their hearts, we will not be able to voice our message to the world. Words coming from the heart touch and settle in the heart, but words coming out of the tongue only reach the ears,” said Juma.

He also added, “I remember when I first joined the ministry, some mosques were the scene of political conflict. The extremist groups believed that they were more worthy of delivering speeches and controlling the mosques. But now the mosques are back to where they belong, under the mandate of the Ministry of Endowment”


This meeting comes as part of a series of meetings by the Ministry of Endowment with imams and preachers to activate the ministry’s strategy around working to restore the role of mosques and imams in disseminating positive Islamic values and ethics.

In addition, the ministry conducts intensive training programs targeting imams and preachers in training centers across the country delivered by senior professors from Al-Azhar.