L | A (Translated with ChatGPT)
By Abdallah Al-Tijani
Ahmed Al-Tawfiq, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, said that more than 1,400 mosques are closed, with an additional 200 mosques being added to this number annually. He confirmed that the budget allocated by the ministry for this issue does not keep up with or cover this figure, considering that every closed mosque represents a responsibility on the shoulders of his ministry.
Al-Tawfiq added, on Monday evening during the weekly oral question session in the House of Representatives, in response to a question about the continued closure of many mosques in rural areas, that the number of mosques in rural areas reaches '37,717 mosques, 892 of which are currently closed based on the decisions of the regional committees responsible for monitoring the condition of the buildings.
The same government official noted that, as part of the mosque rehabilitation program, the ministry has repaired and rebuilt '727 mosques in rural areas, with a budget estimated at 1.236 billion dirhams, and restored and repaired 397 mosques with a budget of 215.259 million dirhams.' He confirmed that the ministry is in the process of 'demolishing and rebuilding 612 mosques with a budget of 969 million dirhams.'
According to Al-Tawfiq, the ministry is also working on 'repairing and restoring 174 mosques with a budget of 174 million dirhams. There are still 892 mosques that remain closed, for which the ministry is seeking financial resources to rehabilitate them in the coming years, God willing,' highlighting that once a mosque is closed, the process of studies begins.
Regarding the situation of mosque inspectors, the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs reaffirmed that their situation has improved and urged the members of parliament to be realistic when discussing them.
He said: 'The issue of mosque caretakers and inspectors is a long journey; we were in one situation and now we are in another. We must be realistic, and we share the concern of improving the conditions of these religious inspectors.'
The government official explained that the number of inspectors amounts to 624, distributed across various regional offices of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, with 81 inspectors and 523 assistant inspectors. He added: 'This group of workers in religious affairs is classified among appointed religious caretakers and is subject to the provisions of the Royal Decree No. 14.104.
Al-Tawfiq further explained that this group "is not considered employees in any way and does not have an employment relationship with the ministry."
He emphasized that this group "benefited from a raise this year of 600 dirhams, bringing their compensation to between 3,200 and 2,600 dirhams. They also benefit from supplementary health coverage and the services of the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Promotion of Social Works." He pointed out that the ministry plans, as part of the royal initiative for social protection, to "include them in the list of beneficiaries."
Regarding the situation of teachers working in traditional education schools, Al-Tawfiq noted that there are 4,531 teachers working on a part-time basis, selected and appointed for one year, renewable. He highlighted that the compensation they receive ranges between 2,500 and 4,000 dirhams.
The minister said, "We can say that the traditional education sector is unstructured, and we are working to gradually structure it," noting that "its primary purpose is the preservation of the Quran, and that is why we are supporting it." He stressed that the workers in this sector "are not employees and have not passed recruitment exams, which is why we fulfill the needs of this education through additional hours."
Al-Tawfiq, in his response, pointed out that "38% of those working in traditional schools are employees or religious caretakers," emphasizing that the financial allocations for them this year amounted to "117 million dirhams. We do not oppose regularizing their situation; however, we do not have the resources, and it is not possible at this time."
The parliamentary groups unanimously agreed on the need to call on the ministry to make more efforts to reopen the closed mosques and ensure the provision of suitable spaces for the rural population to perform their religious practices in the best conditions, warning of the vacuum and its potential exploitation by promoters of extremist religious rhetoric.
The members of parliament also emphasized the importance of ensuring appropriate conditions for the workers in the religious sector, given their key roles in safeguarding and protecting the spiritual security of Moroccans. They called for the need to integrate them, improve their social and living conditions, and grant them the basic rights guaranteed by labor law.
By Abdallah Al-Tijani
Ahmed Al-Tawfiq, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, said that more than 1,400 mosques are closed, with an additional 200 mosques being added to this number annually. He confirmed that the budget allocated by the ministry for this issue does not keep up with or cover this figure, considering that every closed mosque represents a responsibility on the shoulders of his ministry.
Al-Tawfiq added, on Monday evening during the weekly oral question session in the House of Representatives, in response to a question about the continued closure of many mosques in rural areas, that the number of mosques in rural areas reaches '37,717 mosques, 892 of which are currently closed based on the decisions of the regional committees responsible for monitoring the condition of the buildings.
The same government official noted that, as part of the mosque rehabilitation program, the ministry has repaired and rebuilt '727 mosques in rural areas, with a budget estimated at 1.236 billion dirhams, and restored and repaired 397 mosques with a budget of 215.259 million dirhams.' He confirmed that the ministry is in the process of 'demolishing and rebuilding 612 mosques with a budget of 969 million dirhams.'
According to Al-Tawfiq, the ministry is also working on 'repairing and restoring 174 mosques with a budget of 174 million dirhams. There are still 892 mosques that remain closed, for which the ministry is seeking financial resources to rehabilitate them in the coming years, God willing,' highlighting that once a mosque is closed, the process of studies begins.
Regarding the situation of mosque inspectors, the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs reaffirmed that their situation has improved and urged the members of parliament to be realistic when discussing them.
He said: 'The issue of mosque caretakers and inspectors is a long journey; we were in one situation and now we are in another. We must be realistic, and we share the concern of improving the conditions of these religious inspectors.'
The government official explained that the number of inspectors amounts to 624, distributed across various regional offices of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, with 81 inspectors and 523 assistant inspectors. He added: 'This group of workers in religious affairs is classified among appointed religious caretakers and is subject to the provisions of the Royal Decree No. 14.104.
Al-Tawfiq further explained that this group "is not considered employees in any way and does not have an employment relationship with the ministry."
He emphasized that this group "benefited from a raise this year of 600 dirhams, bringing their compensation to between 3,200 and 2,600 dirhams. They also benefit from supplementary health coverage and the services of the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Promotion of Social Works." He pointed out that the ministry plans, as part of the royal initiative for social protection, to "include them in the list of beneficiaries."
Regarding the situation of teachers working in traditional education schools, Al-Tawfiq noted that there are 4,531 teachers working on a part-time basis, selected and appointed for one year, renewable. He highlighted that the compensation they receive ranges between 2,500 and 4,000 dirhams.
The minister said, "We can say that the traditional education sector is unstructured, and we are working to gradually structure it," noting that "its primary purpose is the preservation of the Quran, and that is why we are supporting it." He stressed that the workers in this sector "are not employees and have not passed recruitment exams, which is why we fulfill the needs of this education through additional hours."
Al-Tawfiq, in his response, pointed out that "38% of those working in traditional schools are employees or religious caretakers," emphasizing that the financial allocations for them this year amounted to "117 million dirhams. We do not oppose regularizing their situation; however, we do not have the resources, and it is not possible at this time."
The parliamentary groups unanimously agreed on the need to call on the ministry to make more efforts to reopen the closed mosques and ensure the provision of suitable spaces for the rural population to perform their religious practices in the best conditions, warning of the vacuum and its potential exploitation by promoters of extremist religious rhetoric.
The members of parliament also emphasized the importance of ensuring appropriate conditions for the workers in the religious sector, given their key roles in safeguarding and protecting the spiritual security of Moroccans. They called for the need to integrate them, improve their social and living conditions, and grant them the basic rights guaranteed by labor law.
