Cairo – It is inside a small booth no more than four meters in length, it was erected in an Egyptian underground station Al-Shohada, two Islamic preachers affiliated to the Islamic Research Academy (IRA) are sitting waiting for those in need of fatwa (i.e. religious edicts)about religious issues. Here come along ask for fatwa up and underground. The numbers of Egyptian television programs on satellite channels bringing to viewers religion-based content, such as hosting preachers to share their religious expertise and answer questions of on a certain religious issues, are more than those that provide cultural or scientific content. This is well-known fact to every good follower to Egyptian media outlets. In actuality, Fatwa services are not only offered to Egyptians through TV programs, but also there is an official website to Egypt's Fatwa House (or Dar Al-Ifta) that provides this service, in addition to ubiquitous offices of fatwas in Cairo and other Egyptian governorates. But this time, the new thing that Al-Azhar has come up with is "the kiosks of fatwas," which have just reserved some space for itself underground, specifically in the metro station of Al-Shohada (aka Ramses). Al-Shohada is one of the most important stations of the Cairo subway because it connects several lines to each other; besides, millions of Egyptians every day passes through it. Dr. Mohieddin Afifi, IRA's secretary general, said on Thursday that fatwa kiosks, set up by IRA's Fatwa Committee, aim to issue fatwas for ordinary citizens for free. "In an age of speed, where people are too busy to ask about religious matters, 'Fatwa kiosks' aim to reach out to all citizens, IRA says," added Afifi. The kiosks were opened on Wednesday on a trial basis from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, as commuters are invited to bring their questions on religious issues to Al-Azhar sheikhs and scholars manning the booth and receive the required answers.
