Palestinian Authority to regulate salaried clerics to thwart Hamas
RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority is planning to reduce the influence of Hamas in mosques in the West
Bank.
Officials said the PA Religious Affairs Ministry has been drafting
regulations on sermons and other activities in the thousands of mosques in
the West Bank. They said mosque preachers and other clerics would not be
permitted to discuss politics or respond to current events.
"Those who want to mislead the people and become a mouthpiece of this
party or that political group should find another place to preach," PA
Religious Affairs Minister Jamal Bawatna said.
In a briefing on Feb. 14, Bawatna said the PA was concerned over what he
termed the politicization of mosques and religious schools, Middle East Newsline reported. He said his
ministry was monitoring mosques and religious schools to prevent Hamas
influence.
"They [Hamas] are misleading worshipers with false slogans pretending to
be pro-religion while from they are really for political positions and
money,"
Bawatna said.
The ministry has been paying the salaries of preachers and other clerics
in state-supported mosques. Bawatna said many clerics have been dismayed
over the ministry's refusal to address Hamas and other political issues.
"Imams misinterpreted the ministry's silence towards their wrong-doings
as weakness," Bawatna said. "Some imams think the government cannot
interfere in the affairs of the mosque."
Officials said the PA would crack down on clerics alleged to be using
mosques to support Hamas. They said these clerics would face penalties,
including the loss of their government salaries as well as dismissal.
"Mosques have a sacred mission, which is teaching worshippers about
their religion and faith through the holy Koran and prophet Mohammed's
teachings,"
Bawatna said. "But, they can't be muftis and mouthpieces of parties and
groups that pretend to care about religion while they are enemies of that
religion because they use it as trade to achieve their own interests and
gains."