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Egypt TV director loses job over Easter, Taraweeh mix up

Easter Mass, Ramadan Taraweeh prayer mix up costs Egypt TV director his job
MENA
2 min read
16 April, 2023
A local TV channel in Egypt accidentally wrote Easter Mass on the screen as it broadcast Ramadan Taraweeh prayers from a mosque, leading to widespread mockery.
Taraweeh is the evening prayer held throughout the fasting month of Ramadan [Getty]

A television director has been sacked in Egypt after mistakenly labelling on screen prayers from a mosque as Easter Mass.

The local Channel 5 television channel in Alexandria wrote "The Day of Resurrection Mass for the Evangelical sect" on the screen during a live broadcast of Taraweeh prayers from a mosque, which are held every evening during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

It is not clear how the mix up happened.

The dismissed director, whose name was not given, was reportedly referred for investigation on Sunday. The head of Channel 5, Mohammed Kahilo, apologised for the mistake and held the director fully responsible.

Easter and Ramadan have coincided this year. Most of Egypt’s Christians are affiliated to the Coptic Orthodox Church, which observes Easter on Sunday 16 April this year.

Images of the screen were widely shared on social media, drawing criticism, mockery and humour.

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The New Arab Staff & Agencies