Manama: Vacation plans of several mosque imams in Qatar have been upset by a Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs decision not to grant them annual leave during the summer.
The decision was prompted by the fact that Ramadan, the sacred month during which Muslims fast and boost their spiritual activities, is expected to start on August 1.
Ramadan to start August 1
The presence of imams, who lead prayers, particularly in the evening after the break of the fast, is necessary during the holy month.
However, many imams, have expressed disappointment over the decision, saying that they had already booked flights in the hope that they would be able to avail of their holidays, Qatari daily The Peninsula reported.
According to the mainly expatriate community of imams, summer is the best time to go on holidays with the children out of school.
