'Fatwa Kiosks' to close: Cairo Metro authority

CAIRO - 4 October 2017: Cairo Metro authority’s official spokesperson, Ahmed Abdel Hady, announced Wednesday that Al-Azhar-sponsored fatwa kiosks that opened in stations about three months ago will close. The decision came as a result of not renewing the cooperation protocol signed with the Islamic Research Academy.

He added that the duration of the collaboration protocol is over, and the company was not asked to renew it, thus terminating the kiosks.

The controversial kiosks protocol was signed during the holy month of Ramadan, as an initiative to change and develop religious discourse; however not too many social media users agreed with it.

Fatwa Kiosks are cabins that exist inside metro stations where a number of clergymen issue fatwas (religious edicts) to the public upon request.