Minister wants to increase preachers' salaries
Moroccan Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq on Wednesday voiced his department's hope that an additional budget of MAD 100m (Euro 9m) be earmarked to improve the situation of Friday prayer's preachers.
Speaking at the House of Representatives' question time, the minister said this amount, which aims also to increase allowances for the other mosque personnel, is part of the ministry's strategy to better define the mission of mosques and improve the work conditions of their staff.
A study of the ministry of Islamic affairs shows that mosque personnel (Imams, preachers, muezzins, etc) totals some 43,894, including 33,082 imams.
The minister also recalled the initiative of King Mohammed VI to allocate an allowance of MAD 150m in 2004 to 32,432 Imams.
