Imams threaten not to preach at Friday prayers

Ahram Online, Tuesday 13 Sep 2011

Imams and preachers demand better pay and social services, protest outside Ministry of Religious Endowments

A number of Ministry of Religious Endowments imams and preachers held a protest today in front of the ministry’s headquarters in Cairo

The imams and preachers announced they will hold a ‘Regaining of Dignity’ strike and threatened not to perform their Friday sermons if the ministry continues to refuse to meet their demands.

For the past few days, angry imams and preachers have been demanding better incentives and more fairness in the assignment of postings and trips overseas. They also want better healthcare and a syndicate to protect their rights and provide social services. The group also asked for more financial support for imams on low incomes who are forced to seek other jobs to make ends meet.

Several representatives of protesting imams met with officials at the ministry on Sunday in an attempt to solve the crisis but they could not reach a resolution.

The ministry offered the imams LE300 (about $50) to end their protests until it studies the possibility of meeting their general financial demands. However, imams turned down the government's proposal.

 

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