Awqaf suspended services of 4 imams in 2017

‘All external contracts with expat imams terminated’

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 12: Mosques Sector in the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs suspended in 2017 the service of four imams; three Egyptians and a Kuwaiti, for violating mosque law, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The daily quoting Dawoud Al-Asousi, Assistant Undersecretary for Mosques Sector in the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, pointed out that two of the imams have been suspended for an indefinite period, while tasks of the third imam will be reinstated after one year and the fourth imam within four months. He added a committee was formed to review Friday sermons containing current topics of importance.

Al-Asousi said the ministry kept to the regulations of Civil Service Commission (CSC) and suspended all external contracts with expatriate imams. He noted the ministry does not prevent cultural and social activities carried out inside mosques but only requires official approval, as per the ministry’s strategic plan.

He revealed the ministry offers incentives to imams and that distinguished imams are entitled to Omra trips each year, while the ministry bears the cost of their children’s education. He indicated education allowance was increased from KD 200 to KD 250 per child, in addition to KD 150 housing allowance for imams.

The ministry addressed its Interior counterpart to exclude imams from the prerequisites for obtaining driving licenses, while donations are collected at the mosques in coordination with Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Al-Asousi stressed, indicating unauthorized sources are prevented from collecting donations.