2000 Imams to be hired to protect Mosques from extremism

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika agreed to create 2000 new jobs for Imams , in response to the demand by the religious affairs minister, Bouabdellah Ghulamallah, to cover the lack of Imams in isolated areas, and to avoid penetrating mosques that are affiliated to the ministry by imams who promote other references, or who call for violence and extremism.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs observed the lack of Imams in mosques across the isolated areas, which become worrisome, because of the growing concerns of exploiting this lack by imams who seek to promote references other than the national. Therefor it decided to put an end to any breach of these religious institutions, through opening additional financial positions for imams contractors who stayed up for the five daily prayers in mosques, as well as the fatwa, and interest in all things of the internal affairs of mosques and their relationship with citizens. Which was approved by the President personally, including improving the salaries of these imams for up to 15.000 dinars per month instead of 3500 AD. A wage which has been certified since 1992 which is the year of creating the job of Imam.

Ministry of Finance planned to finish the details of these new positions in coordination with the ministry of religious affairs, to be referred to the Council of Government for approval, and there it will start in the immediate inauguration of the new imams following the issuance of the ministerial decree. This will be during the next few weeks, according to the media adviser at the ministry, Adda Fellahi, who confirmed that the selection of those who will lead the prayer will be entrusted to the scientific councils in wilayas, which will adjudicate the files before them.

The new imams will benefit from direct hiring, while the conditions of hiring will depend primarily on scientific competence and experience in the field, which enables the imam of familiarity with the sociological aspect of the society, which is considered by the ministry as an essential aspect in addressing the message of mosques
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