Date of source: Friday, April 24, 2020
The majority of Muslims around the world began to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan this Friday amidst a peak in the number of people infected with the Coronavirus. The virus prevents many believers from meeting their families or performing collective prayers in mosques, while some religious...
Date of source: Monday, April 20, 2020
The official spokesperson of the Ministry of Endowments, Aḥmad al-Qāḍī, caused controversy after he had said that the Ministry considers opening mosques during the holy month of Ramadan for Imams only. In a phone interview with TV presenter Aḥmad Mūsā, Aḥmad al-Qāḍī stated that the ministry would...
Date of source: Friday, April 10, 2020
Recently there have been calls for al-Azhar mosque to broadcast the Friday sermon [khutba] without an audience on Egyptian TV, satellite channels, and radio in response to the continued suspension of prayers at mosques just like the “distance learning” measures being done by the state for schools...
Date of source: Friday, April 10, 2020
Uncertainty lingers around the fate of al-Tarāwīḥ prayer (mass Ramadan evening prayers) in Ramaḍān 2020 at mosques after the Ministry of Endowments’ [al-Awqāf] decision to suspend Friday and congregational prayers at all mosques of Egypt as a precautionary measure to prevent gatherings that would...
Date of source: Saturday, May 16, 2020
Life turns upside down in Egypt once Ramadan is about to start. Besides the fasting and worshipping, this month also brings with it many traditions that over decades have become an essential part of the social life in Egypt. But life does not only change for Muslims during the holy month, Copts...
Date of source: Saturday, March 14, 2020
Dr. Muḥammad Mukhtār Jumaʿah, Minister of Endowments [al-Awqāf], decided to cancel public events and celebrations in commemoration of the Prophet’s Night Journey [al-Isrā’] and Ascension [al-Miʿrāj]. This is part of the precautionary and preventative measures that the ministry of al-Awqāf is...
Date of source: Friday, February 28, 2020
The world faces a genuine crisis with the spread of the Corona virus in more than 40 countries. To stop the spread of the virus some countries have taken drastic measures such as closing schools and universities. The authorities in Saudi Arabia have cancelled the ʿUmrah which indicates how serious...
Date of source: Wednesday, January 29, 2020
On Monday, Egypt held an international conference organized by al-Azhar entitled “al-Azhar’s International Conference for the Renewal of Islamic Thought.” Senior leaders and prominent political and religious figures from all over the world participated in the conference as well different...
Date of source: Tuesday, January 28, 2020
The second day of al-Azhar’s Conference for the Renewal of Islamic Thought witnessed controversy following statements made by the President of Cairo University Dr. Muḥammad ʿUthmān al-Khusht, which many considered to be in opposition to the Asharite [al-Ashʿarī] (theology school in Islam), pushing...
Date of source: Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The subject of women and their position in Islam still arouses intellectual, legal, and political controversy in different places of stability around the world. Accusations against Islam and Islamists of regarding women as weak and degrading them still remain. ʿArabī 21 is opening a portfolio...