Egypt warns against using mosques for launching protests

Staff

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 17:05

views:

Riot police members stand in front of el-Nour mosque in Cairo as demonstrators protest in the main cathedral in Cairo. People protested after evening prayers claiming that a recently Christian-converted into Islam woman, Kamilia Shehata, is being held by the church against her will.

Photographed by Reuters

Archived

Prev Next Pause Play

The Egyptian Endowments Ministry warned on Thursday of using Friday prayers to launch protests against the regime of President Hosni Mubarak.

In a statement, the ministry instructed mosque imams and Friday prayer preachers to prevent mosques from being used for creating “confusion among citizens or the circulation of unfounded rumors and speculations."

“The teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah promote freedom of expression as long as it does not lead to chaos or corruption and as long as it respects others including those with opposing views or beliefs,” said the Ministry.

Opposition movements say they intend to take part in mass protests following Friday prayers. The movements called on all Egyptians to participate in mass protests and marches nationwide in what is being dubbed as “The Friday of Anger and Freedom."

Translated from the Arabic Edition.