'22 imams penalised for failure to lead prayers for Karak victims'

AMMAN — The Awqaf Ministry said Tuesday it has penalised 22 mosque imams for not holding special prayers for the victims of the Karak Castle attack.

Awqaf Minister Wael Arabiyat had instructed imams to perform "prayers for the absent" on Friday, December 23, 2016 to pray for the security personnel who were killed in the line of duty while dealing with terrorists at Karak Castle, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The special communal funeral prayers were originally performed by Muslims for those who die in foreign lands and do not receive a proper burial.

Seven security personnel and three civilians died in the Karak Castle attack.

The ministry has also fired 15 imams and banned them from delivering sermons at mosques, Petra reported.

In addition, seven other imams were referred to disciplinary councils to be penalised.