The Endowments Ministry on Thursday warned imams and preachers against accepting invitations to Iran, saying such invitations are intended to foment sedition.
In a statement, the ministry said it was recently noted that Iranians were present in mosques that host mausoleums dedicated to the Prophet Mohamed’s relatives in Cairo and the provinces, where they were extending free invitations signed by Iranian religious figures to visit holy places in Iran.
The ministry warned that it would take firm action against anyone promoting or accepting such invitations.
The religious establishment fears attempts to spread the Shia doctrine in Egypt, where the majority is Sunni. Press reports have previously stated that Egyptian security services have stopped several Shia rituals and celebrations.
Diplomatic relations between Egypt and Iran were severed in 1979 when Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel. The same year, the Islamic revolution toppled Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who fled to Cairo and stayed there until his death. Pahlavi remains buried in Cairo.
Edited translation from MENA
