Fifteen Experts and Imams To Preclude Import Of Extremist “Fatwas” via Dubious Religious Books

The Algerian Government has set up a specialized committee to make a deep perusal of the imported religious books, made up of 15 seasoned experts, including three high-skilled imams, elected for five years.

According to an executive decree, members of the committee are prohibited from applying for a license to import religious books or even to have a link with importers. 

Highest degree of vigilance in reading the contents of the imported books will be required.

The executive decree published in the latest issue of the “Official Gazette” specifies the nature of the make-up of the committee designed to minutely read and manage the imported religious books, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the pre-licensing of the import of religious books.

 The committee, headed by the director in charge of Islamic culture, is represented by the Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments that of Culture and that of the Interior, and three imams of competence in various disciplines and sciences, especially in the field of religious sciences. They will be appointed and commissioned by the Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments. 

Article 3 of the Executive Decree states that members of the Committee are appointed for five years open to renewal, and termination of their function is linked to the termination of the functions of the other committee members.

The Government barred the committee members charged with reading the imported religious books from submitting requests for the import of the religious books, as well as preventing them from having direct or indirect contact with those requesting import licenses, in order to fend off problems or transgressions that allow the passage of unwanted and deleterious books.

With regard to the functioning and work of the Committee, the Executive Decree stipulates that the members of the Committee are compelled to stage their regular meetings at the Ministry of Religious Affairs premises upon a summons from their Chairman for the purpose of evaluation and follow-up.

The government stressed the need to exercise caution and vigilance in the follow-up of the contents of the imported books, with the need to coordinate with the relevant sectors to achieve positive results related to their tasks.

According to Article 10 of the Executive Decree, the Secretariat of the Committee shall assume the services of the Sub-Directorate in charge of publications. The Secretariat shall ensure all material tasks from outlining the agenda of the meetings, working out the Committee’s proceedings and sending the summons.

Furthermore, the files of pre-licensing applications shall be deposited by the parties concerned at the level of the secretariat of the Committee after ensuring that they conform to the required standards.

With regard to the rules of procedure of the Committee’s work, which defines the modalities of studying and deciding on applications for licenses and the criteria which it uses to express the opinions of the members, the committee prepares and approves them and submits them to the minister in charge of religious affairs and endowments for endorsement.

According to the decree, the committee is required to compile an annual report on its activities and submit it to the Minister of Religious Affairs as well those in charge of the Interior and Culture.