Preparatory schools are not part of our prerogatives, says religious affairs minister

Algeria’s religious affairs minister Mohamed Aissa Saturday defended imams who are attacked in some mosques. “My ministry will react. A large number of measures were taken to protect imams,” he said.

“Imams protected mosques and paid a high price during the black decade. About 100 imams were killed in different areas in Algeria,” Mohamed Aissa told religious affairs executives in a conference in the province of Guelma.

“Imams should have a responsibility spirit about religion and society. Imam candidates in the next local elections must be prevented from exploiting mosques or their position for political purposes during the electoral campaign,” he added.

Speaking about Wakfs, the minister said they can be used to build Algeria’s national economy.

“Religious affairs directors should recover and exploit Wakfs to gain benefit for everyone,” he added.

He criticized some associations who exploit Quran schools to gain money as they turn them into preparatory schools for children in return for money.

“This is illegal. Preparatory classes are handled by the national education ministry and not Quran schools,” he said.