For the First Time Ever Egypt Appoints 144 Female Volunteers to Preach In Mosques

In an unprecedented move, Egypt's Endowments Ministry has announced the appointment of 144 female preachers that will perform their tasks at the women oratories. The announcement was made by Sheikh Gaber Tayei, Head of the Religious Department at the Ministry, and is the first of many new steps by the ministry to combat religious extremism Al Sharq Al Awsat reports.

In January 2015, Egypt’s Endowment Ministry announced it would be offering volunteer positions for women preachers, and have followed through on the promise appointing 144 female preachers. The move follows President El Sisi's calls for renewing the religious speech to eliminate extremism, with the appointment constituting a first in a field that is traditionally reserved for men.

"There are more steps in the upcoming period to activate the women preaching work," Tayei explains.

Female preachers will be giving religious lectures starting from March in major mosques around the country.

According to  El-Tayei, the appointment comes as one of the first steps in the ministry's plan to combat extremism.

(Photo by Virtual Mosque)