Rabat— Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq announced Monday that 18 associations in Europe and Canada have received financial support totaling MAD 105 million ($11 million), as part of the ministry’s efforts to support religious guidance for Moroccans residing abroad (MRE).

The minister provided details while responding to an oral question in the House of Representatives about the “support for Islamic centers serving the Moroccan community abroad and enhancing their supervisory role.”

Toufiq indicated that support measures for the diaspora include establishing the Moroccan Council of Ulema for Europe and strengthening cooperation with embassies, consulates, and associations representing mosques abroad.

The ministry’s efforts have led to the deployment of 372 religious supervisors during Ramadan to nine countries and the distribution of 345,000 copies of the Quran to mosques and Islamic centers.

The minister also said that his ministry is preparing a multilingual religious information program for Moroccans worldwide, noting that it will be an interactive program set to broadcast daily.

Separately, the minister also responded to another question about “the status of the program to rehabilitate mosques damaged by the earthquake” in the Al Haouz region.

He indicated that under this program, the ministry has conducted 4,959 expert assessments and studies to diagnose damage and determine the nature of required work at a total cost of approximately MAD 112 million ($12 million).

Meanwhile, 901 rehabilitation and restoration operations have been completed at an overall cost of MAD 426 million ($45 million), he noted.

He also reported the reopening of 1,239 mosques, provision of 640 alternative prayer rooms, and accommodation for 569 religious officials whose housing was damaged or destroyed, ensuring the continuity of religious services in affected areas.

MWN with MAP