Women preachers set to make their mark

Women are set to give religious instruction nationwide after the successful experiment involving 50 female preachers in Cairo, Giza and Alexandria. The experiment by the Ministry of Waqfs (Religious Endowments) aimed to treat the issue of women being addressed by male preachers and to raise awareness about family planning.

"Fifty women who recently graduated from Al-Azhar University in preaching have been assigned to a number of mosques," Sheikh Abdul Latif Ayyoub, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Waqfs said in press remarks. "They know the Holy Qur�an by heart, are well versed in Islamic jurisprudence and have a very persuasive manner," Ayyoub said, adding that the ministry�s experiment would be extended to 90 mosques. The idea is to help women who prefer to deal with fellow women who have expertise in religious matters. Sheikh Ibrahim Ramadan, head of the Preaching Department at the Ministry of Waqfs, said the recruitment and training of female preachers came in response to frequent inquiries from women with particular regard to family planning. Sheikh Mohamed Abdul Rahman of the Ministry of Waqfs said the idea to appoint female preachers came at a time when Islamic ethics appear to be in decline as a result of the growth of the Internet and foreign satellite television stations, which have led to illicit relations between the sexes and 4 million orfi (unregistered marriages) in Egypt???? Professor Saed Mohamed of Al-Azhar University says the task of female preachers should not be confined to religious instruction or give consultations to women at mosques. "Their role is to help solve social problems, resolve marital disputes and problems in disciplining children," Mohamed adds. Former MP el-Dermerdash el-Akalli said female preachers in Egypt would be important since women are prone to superstition. "It would take a woman to dissuade another from indulging in superstitious practices," el-Akalli said. "The Muslim family in Egypt is concerned with religious instruction, which must be based on the right knowledge of religious teachings, said, Mohamed el-Sayyed, head of the Islamic Philosophy Department at the Faculty of Arabic Language. "The appointment of female preachers reflects a pressing need to overcome religious illiteracy, especially among young people," el-Sayyed said.

Salaam Nefertiti