Wary of Salafists, Egypt expands control over mosques
The Egyptian state is expanding its control over the dialogue in mosques, and is now preventing Salafists from giving sermons without a permit.
CAIRO — Egypt’s government has launched a new movement against Salafist figures in the country, in line with its policy to manage mosques and marginalize preachers affiliated with certain religious political groups. The government had focused on dismissing any preacher suspected of being affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
Since the ouster of Brotherhood-affiliated former President Mohammed Morsi, the Ministry of Awqaf (religious endowments) has made many moves to sideline, expel and punish several imams for their pro-Islamist political activity in mosques.
Al-Monitor secured a copy of a statement issued in August by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which stated that the ministry had launched campaigns against religious magazines and associations, mandated topics for the Friday sermons and punished violators.
A media dispute between officials in the Ministry of Awqaf and leaders in the Salafist Dawa Party and Nour Party broke out against the backdrop of warrants issued against Yasser Borhami, deputy head of the Dawa Party, for taking a stand in an Alexandria mosque without permission from the state. Following this, the Ministry of Awqaf decided to impose new and strict conditions on preaching in Egyptian mosques.
