The Egyptian parliament has been trying to organize small-sized mosques known as zawaya that are spread under the buildings of Egypt, after demands to close them over complaints that they were propagating “terrorist ideologies”.
Observers say that some zawaya did not have a legal license, and operated under the umbrella of social groups characterized by extremism, hence could become a source of danger.
“Zawaya in popular areas have spread in the absence of the supervision of the Awqaf Ministry (Endowments), and are witnessing the promotion of terrorist ideology,” said MP Anisa Hassouna, noting that those responsible for the small mosques were mainly from the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt considers a terrorist organization.
“They are exploiting the difficult conditions of the youth of these regions to brainwash them and sow the seeds of violence and terrorism,” she added.
The deputy called on the Ministry of Endowments to impose its supervision, warning against leaving the zawaya under the control of those who spread extremist ideas.
Meanwhile, MP Mohammed Faraj Amer submitted a request calling for organizing the issue of “zawaya”, stressing that some of the small mosques were used to promote terrorist ideas, sectarianism and incitement to sectarian strife.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Dr. Omar Hamroush, Secretary of Parliament’s Religious Committee stressed that the issue needed a quick plan by the concerned ministry.
“Just as the ministry has taken control of the mosques and prevented religious groups from controlling them, it has to pay attention to the zawaya, for representing dangerous threats due to their exploitation by religious groups to spread extremist ideology,” Hamroush said.
In the same context, Sheikh Jaber Tayeh, head of the religious department at the Endowments Ministry stressed that the ministry has worked to close around 20 zawaya in the popular neighborhoods, pointing out that they were exploited by terrorist organizations.
