CAIRO: Grand Mufti Sheikh Ali Gomaa has renewed his request that all organizers of free public eateries for the poor in Ramadan, known as mawaed el-rahman, to cooperate and coordinate amongst each other, to spread the benefits to the poor in villages throughout Egypt. Sheikh Ibrahim Negm, the Mufti's spokesman, told Daily New Egypt that "it's a call for the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Food Bank and other big charity associations to collaborate to form an institution responsible for supervising and organizing mawaed el-rahman with a contribution from the Mufti. The Mufti also called for launching the first campaign of solidarity and compassion among businessmen, institutions and companies to give away a portion of their profits to charity work, to end hunger among all citizens without discrimination and to make the holy month of Ramadan the starting date of the campaign every year. The Giza governor had previously announced a prohibition on setting up these public eateries on streets and public squares or in tourist facilities without a special permit from the local district authorities. He cited security, fire and public health concerns especially the need for firefighters to have easy access to Ramadan tents. On his part, the Cairo Governor had prohibited the use of decoration lamps unless they obtain approvals from the concerned district authorities to avoid over-burdening the electricity networks. Last Ramadan some of the charity tables were removed by police officers for blocking the street.
