Suspension of ‘imam’ rejected

Smart mosques to save energy

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 16: Assistant Undersecretary for Mosques Affairs at the Ministry of Awqaf Eng Dawood AlAsousi has denied rumors on the suspension of Imam Fahad Ahmad Al-Kandari who works at Hisham Bin Amer Mosque in Mubarak Al-Kabeer, reports Al-Anba daily.

Speaking to the daily, Al-Asousi explained the Religious Affairs Committee headed by Undersecretary Eng Fareed Emadi decided to refer Al-Kandari to the Advisory Committee due to the contents of his sermons.

He pointed out the Advisory Committee does not meet only one preacher because it also discusses several matters to determine another appointment in line with its agenda.

He disclosed Al-Kandari committed another mistake when he violated the Mosques Agreement by posting administrative letters on social media which contravenes the bylaws.

On the other hand, Al-Asousi announced that the examination for the selection of imams and preachers will be on Dec 18 after obtaining approval from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to exempt muezzins, imams and preachers from the Kuwaitization policy to cover the need of mosques.

Meanwhile, Director of Engineering Affairs Department in Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Soud Al-Mutairi affirmed the significance of smart mosques in reducing operation costs and improving efficiency, quality of service, flexibility, safety and energy conservation, reports Al-Rai daily.

In an interview with the daily Al-Mutairi said Awqaf is planning to initiate the use of alternative environment-friendly energy in its various mosques and buildings, noting three smart mosques are currently operated on this system in an effort to conserve energy. He cited Fatma Al-Awadi mosque, Taha Yacoub mosque and Mejbal Al-Mutairi mosque in that order.