Egypt imposes greater restrictions on mosques during Ramadan

Egypt’s Ministry of Awqaf has ordered that mosques reduce the length of night prayers during Ramadan, Al-Khaleej Online reported yesterday.

In another restriction of acts of worship in the country, the head of religious affairs at the ministry Jaber Tayeh said: “Imams of the mosques should not deliver sermons longer than ten minutes during tarawih [Ramadan night prayers].”

He also ordered the Imams to stick to the traditional supplications during their prayers in an attempt to prevent them from mentioning the government or the country’s leaders.

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These orders come days after the use of loudspeakers was banned during tarawih prayers.

Tarawih is an additional prayer performed by Muslims during the month of fasting, Ramadan. Ramadan began in most Muslim countries on 6 May and will last 29-30 days depending on the siting of the crescent moon.