The Religious Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives approved on Thursday the draft law regulating the general fatwa, which determines the parties mandated to issue fatwas and legislates sentences of no less than 6 months in prison and a LE5,000 fine for violators. Preachers and teachers of Al-Azhar University can perform the functions of preaching and general religious guidance to worshippers related to general Muslim matters, which is not considered emitting a public fatwa, the second article said. The Committee merged articles 4 and 5 into one article, to become article 3, which defines penalties for violators of the provisions of the bill. The violation of the provisions of this law shall be punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine not exceeding LE5,000 or either of the two penalties. In case the violation is repeated, the penalty shall be imprisonment and a fine of no less than LE10,000.

Source: Egypt Independent May 05, 2017 10:41 UTC