Microphones only for Azan, Sermons

Cairo: Egypt’s state religious authority has banned the use of loud speakers in mosques beyond the call to prayer (Azan) and Friday afternoon sermons. The ministry of religious endowments (Awqaf) also warned that violators could face salary deductions or transfer. In March 2015, Awqaf placed all non-governmental Islamic cultural institutes and preacher training centres under its direct supervision. Last year, Awqaf mandated all preachers to acquire a permit before administering sermons on the pulpit, banning all unlicensed preachers. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi recently called on Al-Azhar to “revolutionise” its religious discourse in order to guide Muslims to a correct understanding of Islam.